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Inspiring Tuesdays with Morrie on Gallery 7 stage

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(From left) Ken Hildebrandt and Glen Pinchin perform a scene from Gallery 7 Theatre’s production of Tuesdays with Morrie.

Mitch Albom’s inspiring and heart-warming drama Tuesdays with Morrie opens Gallery 7 Theatre’s season next week.

Written by Jeffrey Hatcher and Albom, the play chronicles the relationship between an old man at the twilight of his life and a young journalist at the height of his career as they explore together the meaning of life.

“I’ve wanted to produce this play on our stage for quite some time,” says Gallery 7 Theatre’s artistic director Ken Hildebrandt. “I was quite moved by it. While the play deals with death and sickness, it really is about life, finding meaning and about being a positive influence in people’s lives.”

Mitch, a successful journalist driven solely by his career as a sports columnist, stumbles across a television program late one night featuring his old college professor, Morrie Schwartz, who is now suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease. Recalling fond memories of his teacher and mentor during college, and to assuage his guilt for not staying in touch as he promised, Mitch decides to visit the elderly man. What starts as a simple, one-time reunion, turns in to a weekly pilgrimage and an advanced course in the meaning of life. Based on true events, this unique story celebrates the power of friendship between men and honours those who have made a significant difference in our lives.

Tuesdays with Morrie was written with the intention of helping to pay Schwartz’s medical bills, and though rejected by numerous publishing houses, once published, eventually became the most successful biography ever.

Playing the role of Morrie Schwartz is Chilliwack resident Glen Pinchin.

Pinchin has appeared in plays through-out the Fraser Valley and Vancouver, including productions of Schoolhouse at UFV Theatre, You Can’t Take it With You & You Still Can’t for Pacific Theatre and The Diary of Anne Frank for Gallery 7 Theatre.

“Tuesdays With Morrie is a story like no other,” Pinchin says.” I hope it touches you as it has me ... deeply, personally and permanently.”

• Tuesdays with Morrie runs Jan. 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 and Feb. 3 to Feb. at 7:30 p.m. at the MEI Auditorium, 4081 Clearbrook Road in Abbotsford. Discounted matinees play Jan. 22 and Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. For tickets, call 1-604-852-3701 or toll free at 1-800-665-8828.