Don Devona--he was born to play Morrie!

Starting today, we're featuring some profiles of folks working on our production of TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE that runs from March 10-April 3 as part of our Furlan Mainstage Series. We thought you'd enjoy learning a little more about some of the folks creating the work on this really wonderful stage adaptation of Mitch Albom's best-selling book of the same name.

We begin today with a profile on the wonderful actor and charming Sunset Playhouse volunteer Don Devona who plays Morrie in our production. Thanks to Kay Tierney, a superb new addition to our volunteer corps for this insightful profile. Enjoy! (And get your tickets now for TUESDAY WITH MORRIE by clicking this link.)

Don Devona Plays “Morrie”

Actor Don Devona brings some valuable experience to the role of “Morrie” at Sunset Playhouse. He already has played the feisty, ailing college professor in TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, at Milwaukee’s Soulstice Theatre in 2009.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to do the play again,” Devona said. “Morrie’s attitude is so positive. He is trying to make people think more about getting along…he is interested in helping people become better.”

Sunset is staging the acclaimed play March 11 to April 3. Based on the best selling autobiographical novel by Mitch Albom, the story centers on the wit and wisdom of Morrie Schwartz. Albom describes a series of weekly visits to his former teacher that became a last class in the meaning of life.

Critics have called the play moving, powerful, and packed with humor and insight. The NY Daily News described it as “a touching, life-affirming deeply emotional drama.”

Devona says the play has an uplifting spirit despite Morrie’s impending death from Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The script is filled with gems such as one of the actor’s favorites: “Love is the only rational act. Without love we are like birds with broken wings.”

Devona has been involved in theatre since he was a teenager. A teacher overseas for many years, he participated in drama groups wherever he was working. He played in “The Foreigner” in Italy, “Our Town” in Germany and in a number of other productions.

When he moved to Milwaukee in 1998, Devona took an acting workshop that led to an offer of two small parts in ROOM SERVICE at Next Act Theatre. He has been in 22 local plays since that time, playing Truman in GIVE 'EM HELL, HARRY, Kris Kringle in MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, Norman in ON GOLDEN POND, and other roles.

He also has had major singing roles in a number of musicals including JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE KING AND I and MY FAIR LADY.

--Kay Tierney