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Winnipeg Free Press
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Revisiting Morrie
On opening night, Nicholas Rice arrived on one foot. It was a Saturday in September, and the Winnipeg-raised actor was meant to be playing the titular role in Tuesdays with Morrie, the first production of the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre's 2024 season. But instead of portraying the sage professor at the heart of Mitch Albom's now-classic story of mentorship, mortality and menschlachkeit, the performer was at the Berney Theatre watching from the audience as Harry Nelken served as a last-minute Rice substitute. 'I did audition for the role, but my good friend Nick Rice got it,' recalled Nelken in an interview days before the première. 'And then my good friend Nick Rice had an accident.' Landon Nesbitt photo Nicholas Rice is portraying Morrie Schwartz in a Toronto production of Tuesdays with Morrie. After the fourth day of rehearsals wrapped up, Rice and his co-star David Sklar returned to their rented accommodations, an old house off Westminster Avenue. 'I had to go up 18 outdoor steps to get into my second-storey flat,' recalled Rice before the last WJT season opened, sitting down for an interview at Schmoozer's Cafe. 'Not a problem. But for some reason, David couldn't get into his main-floor flat. I said, 'David, it's OK. I think I know a back stairway. I'll go down there, get into your apartment and pop your door open from the inside.'' However, Rice was unable to enter the apartment and while he was trying to figure out what to do, he locked himself out. 'There was a locked door behind me and a fence in front of me,' said the actor, whose earliest dramatic inklings were nurtured at Kelvin High School in the 1960s. 'I thought, the hell with this. I'm not going to stand here and keep my friend waiting on the other side of the building. I'm gonna climb this fence. I can do that. I used to do that as a kid. 'So I climbed very carefully up, thrust my left leg over the top. Didn't hurt my gentles in any way. Now bring the right leg over. Perfect — more than halfway there. 'I admit, this is a stupid thing for a 73-year-old man to be doing.' The ascent was clean, but the damage came on the dismount. Rice initially was able to hobble up the stairs, thinking it was a sprain, but around midnight, he called director Mariam Bernstein. 'I said, 'I think I have to go to emerg.'' Bernstein came over and insisted that he call an ambulance. Writhing on the floor with what turned out to be a severely fractured heel and internal damage, Rice still managed to quote Blanche DuBois as the paramedics ushered him to the Health Sciences Centre. 'I told them that I'd always depended on the kindness of strangers. Nobody laughed,' he said. With Nelken called in as a backup, Rice spent nearly two days in the emergency department before splitting a curtained room with a man named Gord. 'We listened to the Labour Day Classic — Bombers and Saskatchewan — and we actually became quite good friends, although I never saw him.' After his discharge, Rice got around with a mobility scooter, and on opening night, he wheeled his way down the Asper Jewish Community Campus's 'Main Street' to tell his Morrie story, which as far as he was concerned had unceremoniously finished. Little did he know that one year after his fall, Rice would get another shot at Morrie glory. Last spring, Rice rented out a venue in his native Toronto for a four-show run of his autobiographical fringe show A Side of Rice, which premièred at Winnipeg's 2024 festival. In the audience was Toronto Metropolitan University theatre instructor Marianne McIsaac. 'She said, 'Nicholas, I know somebody who's looking for Morrie. I gave them your name.' Within days, a Zoom audition was set up for Rice with King Theatre Company artistic director Chloë Rose Flowers and Josh Palmer, a former McIsaac student who'd already been cast as Albom. 'Instantly, you can get a really good sense of who Nick Rice is as a person and a performer. He has that Morrie sparkle, that Morrie twinkle in his eyes,' says Flowers, who cast him on the spot for the one-year-old GTA company's third-ever production. Nearly one year after his accident, Rice takes the stage tonight for the first time as Schwartz for a two-week stand at the King. 'I just feel so blessed,' says Rice, who is dedicating his performance to his high school English teacher, Rudi Engbrecht. 'It's almost like a Mitch Albom experience, and in this particular book, a guy messes up, but then miraculously gets to roll back the tape, make amends and get it right the second time.' Ben WaldmanReporter Ben Waldman is a National Newspaper Award-nominated reporter on the Arts & Life desk at the Free Press. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Ben completed three internships with the Free Press while earning his degree at Ryerson University's (now Toronto Metropolitan University's) School of Journalism before joining the newsroom full-time in 2019. Read more about Ben. Every piece of reporting Ben produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Bighill continues to embrace underdog role with new club
Adam Bighill tried — a revenge game wasn't in the cards this week. The former Winnipeg Blue Bombers and current Calgary Stampeders linebacker returned to practice earlier this week, eyeing a chance to play his old teammates when the Bombers visit McMahon Stadium on Saturday (6 p.m. CT), but the knee he tore up in last year's Labour Day Classic in Regina needs more time before returning to game action. 'It was circled on the calendar, for sure,' Bighill told the Free Press after the Stampeders' walkthrough Friday. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Calgary Stampeders linebacker Adam Bighill had Saturday's clash against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers circled on his calendar, but hopes to face his former club in the post-season. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Calgary Stampeders linebacker Adam Bighill had Saturday's clash against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers circled on his calendar, but hopes to face his former club in the post-season. The 36-year-old's split with the Bombers last off-season wasn't on his terms. The club wasn't interested in re-signing him, and instead went with a younger option in Tony Jones, who played admirably in Bighill's absence and inked a two-year deal to become the team's permanent middle linebacker. It was evident in Bighill's tone how badly he wanted to be on the field on Saturday, the final regular-season meeting between the Bombers and Stamps, but he understands this is the most logical path to staying on the field this year. 'I think in terms of being ready, I feel like I could probably play this game,' said Bighill, who was signed to the Stamps practice roster in June. 'But we have a bye week after this, and just taking that extra little bit of time, can't argue with that probably being a smart way to do it.' If the Bombers and Stamps meet again this season, it will be in the playoffs — a thought that already has Bighill licking his chops. 'It's a long season, and my estimation is we play Winnipeg again,' he said. 'As much as you want to play a game like this, there's many more games to be played.' Bighill has logged full practice sessions for two weeks as he ramps up the volume and overall load on his rehabbed knee. He maintained he already feels like the same old Biggie — the heartbeat of Winnipeg's defence for six seasons, who helped the club to back-to-back Grey Cups, including ending a 28-year championship drought in 2019. The three-time Most Outstanding Defensive Player and future Hall-of-Famer ranks second in Bombers' franchise history with 430 tackles. 'Just not quite there. And with the bye next week — he was chomping at the bit to play,' said Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson. JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Calgary Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Calgary Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson Bighill has a better chance at returning in Week 12 after the Stampeders' bye week when Calgary hosts the Saskatchewan Roughriders. 'I had him in the office (Thursday) and just told him, 'Just keep doing what you're doing,'' Dickenson added. 'He did have a slight setback on more of a flu, which caused him a couple of days of non-practice and non-rehab the previous week, but he's close. 'I gotta be patient, and he does too. He'll be doing his part on the sideline, and when he does get to play, hopefully he's that same guy that he's been his whole career.' The 13-year pro was not only acquired because Dickenson still believes he has something in the tank, but for the leadership he brings to the locker room. Bighill said he needs to get on the field in order for his true impact to be felt. 'You just kind of pick your spots when you can help,' he said. 'I firmly believe in leading by action, and then you'll get the ears of the people around you. So, without being able to be there on the field as much, I just selectively take my spots to talk to guys and help — just provide some of that experience.' Added Dickenson: 'Here's the weird thing: the guys know him, but he hasn't played for us. You do get street cred because of what you've done, but a lot of times you get it when you actually get on the field and you show people why you're considered one of the best guys in our league's history. 'I think he's always been as smart as they come. I think he sees things before they happen. I had another guy, Alex Singleton, who almost moved too fast. He saw it so fast… and I've always thought Adam, same thing. He reads the play so fast. That can also, I think, help him, maybe if he's not running quite as well as he was in the past. Been a good addition.' It's been 11 months since his injury. Bighill said he's right on schedule for the prognosis he originally received, which was mid-August. However, he hasn't allowed his mind to wander beyond this season. This could be his last dance in the three-down loop, or perhaps he'll try to save his swan song for another year. 'I haven't thought about quitting playing football, but coming back after an injury, I think it has to be one (season) at a time,' he said. 'It's not necessarily ride off into the sunset.' Whether Bighill plays beyond this year could depend as much on his desire as it does on his performance the rest of the season. He's heard the noise. Many thought this 36-year-old with a busted knee wouldn't make it back to pro football. It's nothing new to Bighill. He's relished the chance to prove people wrong since he entered the league. 'I've always kind of had a chip on my shoulder. I've always had an underdog story,' he said. 'Despite once people kind of figured out who I was in the CFL and what I can do — I had earned a spot, if you will — I still have had a chip on my shoulder. Not gotten to the level I am and gotten comfortable, I've always had that chip still and proving people wrong. So this is just a continuance, really.' X: @jfreysam Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘An extra layer of something to overcome'
CALGARY — Over an hour had passed since the Calgary Stampeders wrapped up their walkthrough practice, and yet Adam Bighill remained out on the field under a scorching hot sun to get in extra work with the team's linebackers coach. The 36-year-old, who spent the last six seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, is working to resume his CFL career after tearing his ACL in last year's Labour Day Classic in Regina. There's nothing left for Bighill — a three-time Grey Cup champion, three-time CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player, and six-time league all-star — to accomplish in the three-down world that he hasn't already, but he remains motivated. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers minister of defence Adam Bighill, currently on the Calgary Stampeders practice roster, is aiming to face his old team on July 18. Bighill signed to Calgary's practice roster last week, but his knee still isn't at 100 per cent so he will miss Thursday's showdown with the undefeated Bombers at McMahon Stadium. 'Mainly because I love the game and I love competing. I love grinding, and I love football. That's really it,' Bighill said Wednesday. 'As I visualize myself right now on what it would be like to not hit people, it doesn't sound too fun.' 'I've never had to come back from an injury like this so it's like an extra layer of something to overcome, and I've had to overcome a lot in my life to get where I am. For me, also, I think it's character building. I want to be able to come back from something like this and be proud of the work that I put in to get back and play the game at a high level like I want to.' As much as he'd like to suit up this week, he'll have more chances as the Stamps and Bombers meet in Winnipeg on July 18 before returning to Calgary for a third and final regular season date on Aug. 9. Bighill's goal is to be ready in time for the mid-July battle at Princess Auto Stadium. 'He's a guy that raised the level of everybody around him just by his actions,' said Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros in Calgary. 'Since I was traded here in '19, I felt privileged to be his teammate and I always told him that it's an honour to take the field with you every day… and I truly meant that and still do… It's part of the game, but any time you lose leadership, it's tough.' Bighill isn't in denial. He's up there in age, coming off a serious injury, and the Bombers found a younger and cheaper replacement for his spot in Tony Jones. He wanted to end his career in Blue and Gold, but never assumed it was guaranteed even though he put down roots in Winnipeg with his wife Kristina and their three kids. 'My job has always been to show that there's no one you can bring in that's going to be better than me. But I mean, when you get hurt, it's kind of easy for them to rip off the Band-Aid and say, 'We can move on from him, he's injured,'' said Bighill. 'And I mean, I understand. As much as I wish it wouldn't happen, this is kind of the way that it goes.' After the Bombers made it clear they were moving in a different direction, folks began to stop Bighill in public to ask him what was next. 'Lots of questions. 'When are you coming back? Are you gonna coach? Are the Bombers gonna have you coach? Are you gonna hopefully sign somewhere late? What are you gonna do? Are you done? Are you going to retire?' All sorts of questions. But I told them all that I'm getting ready to play,' he said. As for joining the Bombers' coaching staff once he hangs up the cleats for good, don't bank on it. 'I really just want to coach my kids, to be honest. I've had a long career. A long selfish career, if you will,' he said. 'I want to be able to spend more time with my family and create those kinds of opportunities with my time.' Bighill has heard the noise, especially on social media. There are many out there that think he's done and has nothing left in the tank. But once he gets the green light to return, he's confident he will prove people wrong. He recorded 48 defensive tackles and one sack in 10 starts last year before the injury took him out. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'I think (I'll be) the player I've always been. I still feel like I can be explosive, fast, cerebral, and a playmaker,' hesaid. 'At the end of the day, the game is never about doing more things outside of your job, it's about doing your job at a high level and making the plays that maybe a few of the others can't… So I don't think it's going to be any different.' Bighill had a big smile on his face when he pulled on Stampeders colours for the first time. He's long admired their hard-nose brand of football and he's happy to be on board with a group that he thinks can compete for a Grey Cup. 'It's been a great experience here so far, but that chapter in Winnipeg was by far the best and most fun I've ever had playing ball,' he said. 'I still got love for Winnipeg, my teammates out there, the city, and you know, I still live in Winnipeg so I still got a lot of love. (But), I want to beat them. No doubt. When it's game day, and we're playing this football season, it's 'Let's go Stamps.'' Taylor AllenReporter Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor. Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Calgary Herald
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Davis: There's a reason why Saskatchewan Roughriders' CFL crowds look smaller than announced
Article content Saskatchewan Roughriders employees used to gather all the ticket stubs collected at Taylor Field's entry gates during each home game, put them on a scale and weigh them to calculate the size of their crowds. Article content It was an archaic system and not completely accurate, but it did ballpark-estimate how many fans were in attendance. Article content Article content The Roughriders don't weigh tickets anymore in this computerized, scan-your-phone era. Nor do they announce how many fans are at eight-year-old Mosaic Stadium and actually paid for tickets, although those numbers are certainly in their data banks. Article content Instead, they announce the number of 'tickets distributed.' Freebies included. Article content Article content 'It's pretty standard across the industry where you announce distributed tickets,' said Roughriders president/CEO Craig Reynolds, during a media gathering earlier this week to discuss the community-owed franchise's $2.1 million profit from its 2024 operations. 'And yeah, of course there are some comps (free tickets) included in every organization's distributed tickets, some level of complimentary tickets. Article content 'We try to manage those, but obviously we want to support the community as well. We're a community-owned team, so we look to do that. The last game, the Thursday night game, we had an opportunity to do that with some of the folks that were displaced because of the northern fires. So that's where a lot of our complimentary tickets went for that game.' Article content Article content That helps explain why the Roughriders announced a crowd of 25,973 for their regular-season home opener June 5 against the Ottawa Redblacks. Article content Article content There clearly were far fewer butts in the seats. That game was played on a Thursday, an unpopular night for an audience that typically draws half its numbers from outside Regina. It's the only Riders game slated this season on a Thursday. Article content Last season the Roughriders announced 24,875 tickets had been distributed for their home opener, which was played on a Sunday. Through nine regular-season games in 2024 the Roughriders' average announced crowd was 27,600, with only the Labour Day Classic selling out a stadium with an official capacity of 33,350, although the team sometimes alters the number of tickets available. Article content According to Reynolds, the Roughriders are 7,000 ticket ahead of last year's sales pace as they prepare to host the B.C. Lions on Saturday.
Ottawa Citizen
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Davis: There's a reason why Saskatchewan Roughriders' CFL crowds look smaller than announced
Article content Saskatchewan Roughriders employees used to gather all the ticket stubs collected at Taylor Field's entry gates during each home game, put them on a scale and weigh them to calculate the size of their crowds. Article content It was an archaic system and not completely accurate, but it did ballpark-estimate how many fans were in attendance. Article content Article content The Roughriders don't weigh tickets anymore in this computerized, scan-your-phone era. Nor do they announce how many fans are at eight-year-old Mosaic Stadium and actually paid for tickets, although those numbers are certainly in their data banks. Article content Instead, they announce the number of 'tickets distributed.' Freebies included. Article content Article content 'It's pretty standard across the industry where you announce distributed tickets,' said Roughriders president/CEO Craig Reynolds, during a media gathering earlier this week to discuss the community-owed franchise's $2.1 million profit from its 2024 operations. 'And yeah, of course there are some comps (free tickets) included in every organization's distributed tickets, some level of complimentary tickets. Article content 'We try to manage those, but obviously we want to support the community as well. We're a community-owned team, so we look to do that. The last game, the Thursday night game, we had an opportunity to do that with some of the folks that were displaced because of the northern fires. So that's where a lot of our complimentary tickets went for that game.' Article content Article content That helps explain why the Roughriders announced a crowd of 25,973 for their regular-season home opener June 5 against the Ottawa Redblacks. Article content Article content There clearly were far fewer butts in the seats. That game was played on a Thursday, an unpopular night for an audience that typically draws half its numbers from outside Regina. It's the only Riders game slated this season on a Thursday. Article content Last season the Roughriders announced 24,875 tickets had been distributed for their home opener, which was played on a Sunday. Through nine regular-season games in 2024 the Roughriders' average announced crowd was 27,600, with only the Labour Day Classic selling out a stadium with an official capacity of 33,350, although the team sometimes alters the number of tickets available. Article content According to Reynolds, the Roughriders are 7,000 ticket ahead of last year's sales pace as they prepare to host the B.C. Lions on Saturday.
