Miracle Theatre’s seventh annual fundraising play will help support Ukrainian refugees resettling in Prince George.
Director Ted Price and producer Anne Laughlin’s production of the romantic comedy Dancing Lessons, by Mark St. Germain, is expected to debut on March 30. All proceeds from the show will be used to establish the Prince George Refugee and Hope Fund, to be administrated by the Prince George Community Foundation.
“We want to support the exceptional work of the Prince George Share Hope Refugee Sponsorship Committee supporting Ukrainian refugees,” Laughlin said. “(And) we have a very high opinion of the Prince George Community Foundation. They are the gold standard when it comes to charitable organizations.”
Swiss physician and research Peter Jüni, former head of the Director of the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, described Canada as “one of the lifeboats of the world,” Price said.
“Share Hope is one of the planks in that great big lifeboat,” Price said.
Share Hope committee chairperson Eva Gillis said the volunteer group has helped support 124 Ukrainian refugees come to Prince George, and knows of 77 more incoming.
“Prince George is known for having a big heart,” Gillis said. “All the money to helping Ukrainian people. It’s really needed.”
As long as the need remains, the fund will benefit the work of Prince George’s Share Hope committee, Laughlin said, which is a key part of the Prince George for Ukraine group helping to support Ukrainians resettling in the city. When the need passes, the fund will be used to support any group helping provide refuge to people fleeing violence or disaster.
Miracle Theatre’s productions have raised a total of $485,478 so far for a number of Prince George charities.
Even before the official announcement, this year’s production has already raised $10,000, Price said, singling out Canadian Tire Prince George owner Selen Alpay for his generosity.
In addition, two unnamed sponsors have agreed to match all donations of $250 or more, up to $6,000, he added.
‘A WHOLE LOT OF FUN’
Dancing Lessons is about two lonely neighbours, who couldn’t be more different, Price said.
Ever is a brilliant, but reclusive, geo-scientist. He asks his neighbour Senga, a Broadway dancer, to teach him how to dance ahead of an awards banquet and dance in his honour, Price said.
He doesn’t know that she’s been in a car accident that has left her questioning if she’ll ever dance again.
Although they get off to a rough start, a friendship and eventually romance blossoms between the two, he said, with plenty of laughs along the way.
“It’s about simply bringing people together for a whole lot of fun,” Laughlin said.
Dancing Lessons will run from March 30 to April 19 at the Knox Performance Space, formerly the Knox United Church, located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Brunswick Street. Shows will run at 7:30 p.m., six nights a week from Tuesday to Sunday, along with 2 p.m. matinees on weekends.
Tickets are $35 each, and will available for advance purchase at Studio Fair, happening this weekend at CN Centre. Regular ticket sales will begin in January at Books and Company.
