James Morrison will bring his one-man play, “Leave Your Fears Here,” to the Georgia Ensemble Theatre’s new stage at the Act3 Playhouse in Sandy Springs from Jan. 18-26.
The actor, best known for his role as Bill Buchanan in the series “24,” was the playwright for this heartfelt journey documenting his son Seamus’ diagnosis, treatment and successful recovery from brain cancer.
Morrison said he decided to write the play after he and his wife, Riad Galayini, struggled to find comfort as the family dealt with their son’s illness.
The play aims to inspire hope and help others. He said though he is the only actor in the play, Morrison said Seamus is the star.
He spoke with Rough Draft Atlanta shortly before returning to rehearsals for the play.
He said the play isn’t an unrelenting story of despair. Morrison has incorporated humor to lighten the heavy topic of cancer, finding levity in the absurdity of the moment.
Morrison said he and Riad stepped up as most parents do when their child is sick., but often its the child that demonstrate how to react to these challenges.
“They lead us through so much, but they especially lead us through their own illnesses when they have them. And my boy was a beacon of hope and humor and gratitude,” Morrison said.
Families have an enormous financial burden with years of therapy for pediatric cancers, he said. Even though it’s been 15 years Seamus’ diagnosis, in some ways, Morrison and Riad are still dealing with the burdens and challenges even though their now-adult son is thriving.
Hearing of others on the similar journeys, Morrison said he felt the need to be of service, which is one outlet that he feels the play serves.
They’ve also been very active with the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation. Seamus attended the foundation’s camps after his recovery. But during college, he became more active teaching kids and being a mentor to younger kids and adults. Seamus has taught poetry workshops for the last several years to help kids in recovery express themselves through writing.
Morrison said Seamus is an inspiration for the plays’s message about hope and healing.
Morrison has ties to GET. He was an apprentice to GET co-founder Bob Farley at the Alaska Repertory Theatre approximately 45 years ago. Bob and his wife, Anita, had a professional training program made possible by former President Jimmy Carter through the Comprehensive Employment Training Act grant. That funded two apprentices in the theater, one of whom was Morrison.
Bob was the artistic director and co-founder of Alaska Repertory Theater with another GET board member, Paul Brown. Brown, Anita, and Bob and Anita’s daughter, Laurel Crowe – who is GET’s artistic director – invited him to bring the play to Sandy Springs. It was previously produced at Great Barrington Public Theatre in Massachusetts and Midnight Sun Theatre in Alaska.
Preview performances are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 15 and 16. VIP opening night tickets at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 17 include access to the post-show reception and a meet-and-greet with Morrison. Regular performances will be held Jan. 18-26, with matinees at 2:30 p.m. and evening performances at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available for all performances at Georgia Ensemble Theatre at Act3 Playhouse, 6285-R Roswell Road, Sandy Springs. The play is suitable for preteens and up. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased online at www.get.org/tickets or by calling the box office at 770-641-1260.