Father-son duo reprises 'Tuesdays with Morrie'

Tom Renner, left, and Jack Renner rehearse Tuesday at Scene One Theatre for "Tuesdays with Morrie."
Tom Renner, left, and Jack Renner rehearse Tuesday at Scene One Theatre for "Tuesdays with Morrie."

Longtime local actors Jack Renner and his son, Tom, have become closely familiar with characters Mitch Albom and Morrie Schwartz.

They have read Albom's book "Tuesdays with Morrie," an autobiographical story about the accomplished journalist driven solely by his career, and Morrie, his former college professor who Albom reconnects with years after graduation after learning Morrie is battling Lou Gehrig's disease.

Jack and Tom brought Morrie and Mitch to local audiences 10 years ago while reading Albom's adapted stage play "Tuesdays with Morrie" during the annual Missouri River Regional Library Foundation's Reader's Theater. Wanting to see the play in action, the community encouraged the father-son duo to showcase the stage play as a full theatrical production at Scene One Theatre.

"It was well received, but there were still people who did not see it and asked if we could do it again," Jack said.

Now, Jack and Tom will reprise their roles as Morrie Schwartz and Mitch Albom, respectively, for a third time Aug. 2-4 and Aug. 9-11 to end Scene One Theatre's 2017-18 season.

Jack and Tom appreciate the reunion of Mitch with Morrie in the book and the play, which starts as a simple visit and turns into a weekly pilgrimage and "last class in the meaning of life," according to Scene One Theatre's play description.

"It is not a sad story - there is sadness in it - but it is a story of encouragement. The death aspect isn't a secret to the audience," Tom said. "It is the journey in dealing with that and being OK with it. We are not immortal, but what we do will touch the people we touch in our lives."

Tom and Jack have a special bond of their own, having done theater since they were young. As a result, the powerful story and connection between Mitch and Morrie, who are friends, mentor and mentee - and as close as father and son - comes naturally to Jack and Tom.

"To have the opportunity to do this show with Dad is unbelievable. To do this the second and third time is so cool. I am beside myself to have the opportunity," Tom said. "There is a power to the story that supersedes that, and it is important to hear the story. I have read it (several) times and it gets me every time, and a big part of it is because I'm talking to my dad, too. That adds to the story."

Jack also enjoys acting with his son, who he feels has "good chops" for the character and emotions of Mitch in "Tuesdays with Morrie." He said he would like to have known the real-life Mitch and Morrie.

"It is a character I've loved doing because of what he stood for love, life and death," he said, later adding: "He was happy in whatever he was doing."

Having a short time to work out their on-stage transitions in the two-member cast within the last few weeks, Jack and Tom have practiced at Jack's home several times.

"Just last week, we were talking through the monologue pieces my dad has, understanding the transition in the script and figuring out how to make it work and flow from one scene to the next," Tom said, noting the 40-page script has no scene or act breaks and goes from 1979 to the mid-1990s in an hour and 20 minutes.

"It says in the script to do anything you can do to make transitions smooth. The flow is very important."

That flow helps drive home the story and its important message to audiences. Tom said the play has a therapeutic value to it for him and delivers an important message about a topic many people are afraid to discuss: How to deal with death.

"To a person who has had an inevitable loss or has dealt with a sudden loss, there is an element (in this play) that shows them you are not alone and offers ways to deal with it. People might find encouragement relating to their own experiences. It is powerful," Tom said. "After reading it a lot, it still gets me and things that make me think about relatable in my own life. They speak to me, and I hope audience members feel the same way. Hopefully we can provide that feeling for them when we're out on stage."

"Tuesdays with Morrie" will hit the stage at 7 p.m. Aug. 2-4 and Aug. 9-11 at Scene One Theatre, 619 E. Capitol Ave. in Jefferson City. Tickets cost $15 - except on "Bully!" Night (Aug. 9), when admission is $8.

For more information or tickets, call 573-635-6713, email [email protected] or visit sceneonetheatre.com.