Tickets are now on sale for Miracle Theatre’s production of the well-known play by Ernest Thompson, On Golden Pond which will take place at the Prince George Playhouse later this month.
“It is a beautiful story and when it comes down to it – it is a love story. It has so much warmth and humor and I just find it irresistible,” said says director Ted Price.
Miracle Theatre brings professional actors from across Canada to perform in critically acclaimed productions to raise money for local charities.
Funds raised from this year’s production of On Golden Pond will go to The Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society through a sustainable endowment fund managed by the Prince George Community Foundation.
“It is a good choice for Hospice because a lot of it is about a man who is worried that he’s hit the last part of his life and this is something he doesn’t handle very well, at first, but then he rises above it,” says Price.
“It is touching, and a lot of the jokes and humour come from his anxiety about him becoming an old man.”
The 1981 film adaptation of the play also won an academy award for Best Picture.
The hope is that Miracle Theatre can raise at least equal to its previous production, more than $106,000, which went to the Children of Prince George Fund.
“We are hoping the box office will be higher than ever and that people will support the Hospice. We are hoping the donation will break all records,” adds Price.
Since the ticket sales will be contributed to an endowment fund, the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society will be able to benefit from the investment income for years to come.
“We are really big believers in endowments,” says show producer Anne Laughlin.
“The fact that you can create a fund that will then provide an income in perpetuity makes a whole lot of sense for charities because they are so busy just paying the bills day-to-day. For the Hospice to have an endowment, that is just something that is essential.”
Miracle Theatre productions are usually held at Art Space above Books & Company, but this year On Golden Pond had to be relocated to the Prince George Playhouse to accommodate for COVID-19 requirements.
“It was a COVID necessity – it was about safety so we could ensure social distancing and plenty of ventilation and be sure that people felt safe,” said explains Price.
“Everything is so much more spacious so we could make any social distancing requirement.”
On Golden Pond will run from Mar. 23 to Apr. 17 at the Prince George Playhouse with showings nightly except Mondays with Sunday maintees and evenings.
Tickets are $35 dollars and available starting Mar. 1 in person at Books & Company on 1685 Third Avenue or by phone at 250.563.6637. For more information about Miracle Theatre, visit the website at www.miracletheatre.ca.
