Guest Artist Packet - Tuesdays with Morrie

GUEST ARTIST PACKET

LINK TO DIGITAL PLAYBILL INSERT: https://issuu.com/floridareptheatre/docs/tuesdays_with_morrie_florida_repertory_theatre_

LINKS TO PHOTOS

• PHOTOCALL PHOTOS (credit Nick Adams Photography) HERE

• Company Run Photos HERE

PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS

• Production introduction Greg Longenhagen HERE

• Production clips promo video HERE

IN THE NEWS

Happenings Magazine: https://www.happeningsmagazine.net/tuesdays-with-morrie-at-florida-rep/

WGCU: https://www.wgcu.org/arts-and-culture/2026-02-02/tuesdays-with-morrie-imbues-audiences-with-resolve-tolive-every-day-to-the-fullest

Gulf Coast News:

• Review: https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/theatre-review-tuesdays-with-morrie-floridarep/70220447

Thank you for your part in bringing this musical to life! Best Wishes!

Joe Dafeldecker, Digital Media Specialist

jdafeldecker@floridarep.org

Tuesdays with Morrie Patron Comments

• We came in at 7:05 due to getting our dinner bill late. The volunteer usher took us in the back way so we wouldn't interrupt Greg Logenhagen's remarks. That was very kind of her.

• Good thought provoking show

• "Phenomenal show. You are my ‘Broadway’! Don’t remember when I last cried in a play. Actors did perfect job connection with audience."

• Easy into my seat and all was good.

• I did not like the book but found the play was excellent.

• ALWAYS VERY GRATEFUL FOR OUR POSITIVE EXPERIENCES AT FLORIDA REP AND TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE WAS EXCELLENT!

• This is the best of the Season. Amazing!

• The acting was extraordinary and the play was very meaningful

• Performance was excellent!

• The acting was terrific, very compelling story.

• Finest show I’ve seen at the Rep in years. Emotional, funny, beautifully performed.

• Outstanding Performance… great “chemistry” between the actors!

• Extraordinary acting, difficult subject

• The actors were fantastic staying in role to the point you thought they were living the situation live. The laughter and tears were intermixed as life is normally.

• The subject material is difficult. However the actors were outstanding. It was so well done and I found the reaction around me to be extremely positive about the show.

• Both actors were great, death is a hard subject to discuss. There was just enough humor to help portray the horrible ALS disease and not have the entire audience sobbing. The stage craft was great showing the stages of his decline and not intrusive to the story line.

• Loved feeling like we were right there in room with them. But I guess we were.

• Enjoyed the incredible actors and a very moving presentation.

• Show and entertainers were great

• both actors were cast perfectly and acted superbly

• So thought provoking and so well performed.

• Great performances by both men for 90 minutes!!

• Best show we have seen at Florida Rep in the 16 years we have been attending

• Acting, writing excellent

• I truly loved it!

• One of the most touching shows. Bring your tissues � � � � � We thoroughly enjoyed the actors, as well as the script. Well done!

• Actors portrayed the characters so well.

• outstanding

• Well produced and outstanding performance!

• Absolutely fantastic! I read the book 20 years ago, my husband never read the book, we both felt exactly the same way about the performance absolutely fantastic!

• The storyline; the actors ability and delivery

• Wow! What a moving, impactful show. It took me awhile to regain my composure after the performance. Outstanding!

• Powerful show. I am never disappointed by performances at the Rep.

• I have read the book and had never seen a live performance of it. It is a heavy book and the play was done very well. Sad subject but acted very well.

• Actors did a wonderful job! Loved it! SO many of the audience were deeply moved! A great message/reminder!

• Outstanding actors. Creative staging.

• Show was excellent, the acting was superb.

• Excellent show - made me cry

• BOTH ACTORS WERE MARVELOUS, I KIND OF FELT LIKE I WAS IN THE ROOM WITH THEM DURING THEIR VISITS!

• Thought the story was very good, only exceeded by the performers of the actors. Very much enjoyed this show.

• Show was great.

• Both actors were well cast. Wonderful acting, they both immersed themselves in their roles. They created a loving believable relationship, as good as the real thing!

• LOVED this show. Thought the acting was outstanding and the staging awesome. I cried from start to finish.

• Met my expectations because I expect high quality from Fl Rep

• Outstanding acting!!

• The Actors were very talented and made you truly believe

• THE BEST ever!!!

• Fantastic show.

• The acting was SUPERB, and the play was also way better than the book!

• Exceptional acting and staging

• Fabulous script, actors and innovative set!

• Best show of the season and certainly one of the very best I've seen in my 10 years membership

• The play was exceptional! The audience was so quiet during the play and then one could hear lots of sniffles at the end. Not a dry eye in the house!

• Terrific show, great acting

• Loved the entire show. Moving, emotional and well presented

• It was just very well done!

• Stellar performances and clever set use

• Excellent acting and terrific script.

• Outstanding cast

• Loved the production; the actors were great.

• Loved performance!

• Both actors gave very moving performances. We left the theater in tears, but uplifted by this beautiful theater experience.

• One of the best shows I have seen at the Rep as a 5 year subscriber

• Actors were outstanding

• The acting was wonderful. I was particularly impressed with Paul Kreppel's depiction of the progression of his ALS.

• Read the book and LOVED this performance. Great material and wonderful actors.

• Both actors were incredible. Handled a difficult topic with sensitivity, pathos and humor. A thoroughly enjoyable evening.

• Two wonderful actors

• I thought I'd seen this play before but it felt like a new experience. Wonderful actors and interesting interaction with backstage helpers.

• The little theater was a perfect setting for such an intimate, meaningful play like Tuesdays with Morrie.

• Excellent

• Excellent!

• Actors were excellent and very believable in their parts. I had read the book years ago and felt the stage production would drag. It did not drag.

• Absolutely amazing performances by two extremely talented men! I laughed and cried and loved every moment!

• Excellent casting and well performed

• Both actors and director were excellent

• The two actors drew the audience into the story. Many tears at the end of play.

• The acting was superb.

• Fabulous acting and very moving script!

• Everything

• The acting by the 2 men, especially Morrie as he aged and his health deteriorated, was excellent and the play was very poignant

• My expectations are always high... It was a wonderful performance, well staged

• Heartfelt, thoughtful play. Actors were outstanding. Will remember this play

• The actors were great. And we had an emergency interruption and they just adjusted so well.

• Great acting on the part of Morrie. Very believable and evoked great emotion.

• Outstanding Actors

• Acting was great. Good use of stage and clever sets.

• Absolutely very professional and well done!

• Fantastic acting, direction maintained & built emotion.

• Outstanding actors

• The play was well done. Both actors were great.

• I can't say enough great things about this show. The actors were absolutely amazing. The show was incredible. I loved the intimate venue.

• The actors were cast perfectly to Mitch and Morrie

• The actors were excellent. The casting was perfect.

• wonderful acting

• Loved the acting.

• Performance was great - This was apparent by the amount of sniffles and quiet coughs during intense emotional scenes.

• well done by both actors

• Intimate and personal

• Our party of 4 really enjoyed the show. Thank you

• It had many life lessons.

• It was a wonderful evening. Great production with amazing actors

• The actors did an excellent job. They drew us right in to the story.

• Actors were outstanding! The change of scenes was fabulous! LOVED IT

• Cast was incredible and I loved the simple sets

• Acting was top rate, as usual. I could hear people crying at the end. It was a truly powerful performance.

• Great production of a story

• Both actors were very good but the actor playing Morrie was phenomenal!

• Absolutely the best

• Such a tearjerker! Mitch Albom is a great writer. I have seen other plays of his and this one was extra special.

• sound / temp was good

• Actors were fabulous

• Both actors were phenomenal

• Great talent, great adaptation

• The story and the acting was beyond my expectations. It was very moving and gave food for thought.

• The two actors were perfectly cast and their presentations and interactions were superb in every way. The stage hands also did a really nice job with set changes.

• acting was fabulous

• Actor looked a lot like Mitch, except for the ears

• Great show with excellent actors

• Great acting

• Fabulous, both actors were amazing!

• Actors were wonderful

• Superb performances; excellent choice of production

• Very emotional. Great performance.

• Both actors were exceptional. The sets, the seamless changes & the intimacy of the production was wonderful.

• Show was amazing... Love the small theater

• Welcoming staff, friendly and helpful

• The two actors were fabulous!

• Wonderful people and wonderful venue

• Well acted. Clever set changes.

• Fabulous presentation

• As a family who has dealt with ALS, we were extremely pleased how the show projected the effects of the disease on both the patient and their family. It brought back a lot of memories which speaks highly of not only the play but also the actors!

• Great evening!

• Show was excellent

• Love coming to this theater. Every play is an experience to remember. Emotions ran high on “Tuesdays with Morrie” as tears ran down my cheeks.

• Volunteers always point out the stairs and offer assistance.

• Wonderful play! I’ve already recommended it to others.

• Loved the show in small room

• Awesome as usual

• Excellent performance

• Excellent production. The casting was perfect.

• Had a great experience, as always.

• Incredible performance!

• What an amazing show!

• We had a wonderful time.

• I was with a group of 19. The box office staff were very helpful. Scott (Front Office Manager) was awesome. He made us feel welcome and assisted us with the seating.

• This was my first time to see a show in the small theater.

• "Excellent production. Love the theater size."

• Fantastic actors. What a great show.

• Great show

• Very positive experience

• Excellent from the get go.

• Wonderful show. Loved it.

• The performance was outstanding. It was well acted and not having an intermission was appreciated.

• no comments. good seats with good sound system.

• Lived the Morrie story since we listened WJR Detroit during this period

• Fabulous play; well performed. Excellent!!!

Professor–student duo shine in “Tuesdays with Morrie”

Final lessons on love, loss and what truly matters transform decades from classroom to living room

BY JENNIFER THOMAS Special to Florida Weekly

“I learned more from Morrie about living than I ever learned in school.” This realization deeply conveys the power of connection between the two characters in Florida Repertory Theatre’s production of Tuesdays with Morrie, a deeply moving play of relationship, mortality and being in the moment between a former professor and student adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom from Albom’s bestselling memoir. The play follows successful journalist Mitch Albom as he reconnects with his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz, who is courageously battling Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS).

As public awareness of the disease has resurfaced through recent high-profile diagnoses, including actor Eric Dane, the story’s quiet lessons — about slowing down, choosing love over ambition and showing up for one another — resonate with renewed clarity for today’s audiences.

NY-based actor Paul Kreppel portrays Professor Morrie for the first time in his career. “I have always admired him (Morrie) for his desire to share how he navigated his experience with ALS,” he said. “Eric Dane has shown great courage as he navigates life with ALS and has definitely raised awareness for the disease. I follow several beautiful, courageous people with ALS of all ages on YouTube who are now sharing their journey. I encourage everyone to find them, follow them and support them. I think Morrie would like that.”

What starts as a casual reunion becomes a weekly series of visits and profound life lessons — a final class on love, purpose, and what it means to truly live. With warmth, humor and emotional generosity, the play explores topics of love, loss and legacy.

“This play reminds us why live theatre is so powerful,” said Greg Longenhagen, producing artistic director of Florida Repertory Theatre. “‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ is simple, honest and deeply personal. It invites audiences to slow down, reflect, and reconnect — not just with the people we love, but with the values that shape how we live our lives.”

The central thesis of this play comes from one of the most quoted and yet piercing lines from Morrie. “The truth is, once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.”

“Morrie’s desire to share his experience while maintaining his strong-willed determination to live his life as fully, with

as much humor as possible, as well as his appreciation of a good cry, are what make the play so inspirational,” according to Kreppel.

With renewed public awareness of ALS, Tuesdays with Morrie invites deeper conversations about compassion, vulnerability and what it truly means to live well.

Nicolas J. Greco portrays Mitch, and he reflects on why he wanted this role.

“What connected me to this piece in the audition and continues to resonate with me is his relationship with his teacher,” Greco explains. “As a person who has had many outstanding teachers in my lifetime, many of whom I still keep in touch with, this is as much of a love letter to them as it is an exploration of how to live a fulfilling life.”

A poignant line delivered by Greco’s character Mitch in the performance is “I was so busy chasing success that I forgot how to be human.” That realization

frames the lessons Morrie teaches Mitch even in his final days.

Slowing down is a theme throughout the play and emphasizes relationships and people.

“This play and this role have taught me to slow down. Listen more. Talk less,” Greco believes. “And most importantly, if somebody wants something, and it’s easy and within my power to give it, then I probably just should. I’m in my 40s now, and I seem to have gotten myself into a big rush. And there’s just no need to live like that. Also, I find myself telling everyone how much I love them.”

breaks down and gets Mitch to open up. By the end, Mitch softens. He accepts the fragility of life and the wonders that come with it.”

Greco acknowledges that a great thing about Mitch is that he is completely transparent about his problems. “He has wants and needs and desires and he sits on them, or he chooses to devote himself to his work,” he continued. “There is a caginess that Mitch has in the beginning, an emotional armor which Morrie

Conversations with Morrie and the audience are part of the banter in this performance and can present a bit of a challenge for Greco.

“The hardest part about playing something like that is, since the conversations bounce between the audience and Morrie so quickly, it can feel like I’m being pulled in two different emotional directions,” Greco explains. “I might go from telling the audience how flirtatious and

fun Morrie is to questioning him as to why he lied to me in a 10-second beat. Luckily, Paul Kreppel is an incredible acting partner. And he makes it so easy.”

Mitch translates to a universal character who is very relevant. “He’s what we all are...the person who works hard and hustles and doesn’t make time for the ‘small stuff ’ because we’re just too busy,” Greco believes. “It’s not about finding the sadness in that. It’s about finding happiness in what could and should be. Finding moments to laugh and play, even during the sad moments, are what makes us human. We can feel many things at once. And that’s what I’m always trying to find in Mitch that makes him so relatable.”

Kreppel feels a strong connection to Morrie’s values. “I believe in finding the joy in every experience, surrounding yourself with people and art and music, whatever brings you joy.”

These two roles are intimate and full of vulnerability. Preparing for this emotionally charged role, Kreppel described, “During our three-week rehearsal period, we constructed the foundation for both the physical and emotional core needed. At times, it was exhausting. But, my acting partner, the wild and wonderful Nic Grecco, guided by our dear director Maureen Heffernan and the help of all the amazing backstage crew, we created a playground for us to explore this play freely every performance. It will continue to evolve, but the hard work is done. Now I find it exhilarating to share this story with a new audience every night.”

Conveying his hopes of how audiences will resonate with the characters and powerful story, Kreppel said, “If there is one thing I do hope the audiences feel after seeing the play, it would be inspiration. The inspiration to lead your life to the fullest, whatever that means to you. Also, the importance of mentors and teachers and the value of a good laugh. We all need to laugh.”

Ever so timely, the play’s message to slow down, listen and choose connection resonates just as strongly as when the memoir was released nearly three

decades ago in 1997. It’s about humanity. Running through March 8, 2026, in the ArtStage Studio at Florida Repertory Theatre, tickets are on sale and can be reserved by calling 239-332-4488 or tollfree at 877-787-8053, visiting Floridarep. org, or stopping by the box office at 2267 Bay Street in Fort Myers. ■

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