A thought-provoking examination of both life and death is set to take center stage at Perry-Mansfield this weekend.

Mitch Albom’s original work, “Tuesdays with Morrie,” brings both laughter and tears through its intimate examination on what it truly means to live and love. The story was adapted for the stage by Jeffrey Hatcher.

The performance at Perry-Mansfield, which is being directed by Tom Frostman and produced by Abbey Iberg, has become more than a play for the cast and crew — it has morphed into a deeply personal artistic venture, both on- and off-stage.

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For Frostman, who is 81, the script and its story resonated with him when he first read it years ago. Since then, it has shaped his perspectives and supported him with experiences in his own life.

“I ran into the play back in 2017, and I was attracted to it mainly because of the character of Morrie,” Frostman said. “I would like to think that I resonated with Morrie because we were so much alike, but it was quite the opposite. I sort of envied Morrie and decided I’d like to be more like him, and that maybe if I played him in a play, I would be more like him along the way.”

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When he suggested the production to the Players at Perry-Mansfield, he was met with enthusiasm and support, despite the plot of the play. 

Death and dying, which are core themes of “Tuesdays with Morrie,” are not portrayed in a somber or dark manner. Instead, they foster contemplation about how to make every moment count.

Frostman went on to explain that his character, Morrie Schwartz, viewed dying and death in a way that also did not allow it to overtake his life.

“He began to focus on the lessons he could learn from what he knew about dying and death,” said Frostman. “Instead of the play turning into a play about dying, it really turns into a play about what we learn from death and dying to live our life more fully.”

For Iberg, the conversations within “Tuesdays with Morrie” also resonate at a deeply personal level. Both she and Josh Fowler, who plays Mitch Albom, are hospice volunteers for Northwest Colorado Health. This real-world connection between the script and their lives has only strengthened their dedication to sharing the messages within the play. 

“These are conversations that we actually have … more often than other people our age do,” said Iberg, who is 27. “…I admire anyone willing to have a conversation about death because it’s the one thing that’s guaranteed for everybody.”

In an effort to extend the positive dialogue surrounding the production, there will be a discussion following the Sunday matinee for the community. 

“We are going to have a community chat about life, death and grief,” Iberg explained. “That will include Frostman, Fowler and myself, as well as Jo Anne Grace, who is our local hospice chaplain. She has a lot of day to day experience having these conversations and helping guide people through the process of losing someone and also just through the process of dying yourself.”

For the 35 year-old Fowler, who is also a first-time actor, stepping into the role of Mitch has been both challenging and transformative.

“This acting role has been enlightening. It’s been challenging in a good way, and I think I’ve grown my perspective,” he said. “I still cry when I’m reading the end of the play. Every time I’m trying to rehearse and read the last two pages, I just start tearing up.”

“Tuesdays with Morrie” possesses a deeply personal connection within Frostman’s life, as well.

“One year after I did this play in Westcliff, my wife developed breast cancer. So, on one level, we lost a year in our lives, we lost 2018,” he said. “…I’ve got to tell you, she has been the total inspiration in my life with how she dealt, much better than I did, with her own grave situation.”

In addition to creating personal resonance within the lives of the cast, crew and audience, The Players at Perry-Mansfield also hope the production reinforces the power of community theater.

“I’m of the mindset that community theater is going to save the world, and I know that sounds crazy, but I mean it with all of my soul,” said Iberg. “It is something about the environment of theater that gives people [a place] where they’re allowed to be silly, they’re allowed to cry, they’re allowed to get mad in a safe way.”

Iberg also noted that the cast and crew have formed a deep sense of camaraderie and mutual support during the production. She hopes that same feeling can be extended to the whole community, particularly at the discussion following the Sunday performance. 

While the plots and subplots within the play might seem heavy, the cast wants the community to know that the experiences within “Tuesdays with Morrie” are not all about sorrow.

“Most people would not think of “Tuesdays with Morrie as entertaining, but it’s certainly one of my goals to make it entertaining, and Morrie himself is a very entertaining character,” noted Frostman. “It is by far one of the most engaging plays I have ever been in, and it is also educational because I think it teaches…us a lot about lessons for living.”

The play’s final message is captured in one of Morrie’s most famous lines — “Everybody knows they’re going to die, but nobody believes it.”

The Players at Perry-Mansfield will be performing “Tuesdays with Morrie” at the Julie Harris Theatre on at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday. The Sunday performance will be followed by the community discussion. 

The box office opens at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets will be available at the door.

Iberg noted the production’s sponsors, which include Perry-Mansfield, Yampa Valley Funeral Home, Yampa Valley Bank, Steamboat Radio and Associated Building and Remodeling, have been instrumental through their support. 

The lobby of the Julie Harris Theatre will also feature artwork by Crystal Mackey in a preview of her upcoming exhibit at the Art Depot, which documents her own grief journey through art.

For more information, visit PerryMansfield.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F14706.