SEEKING REFUGE to Premiere at the Toronto Fringe

Seeking Refuge, winner of the Paul O'Sullivan Prize for best script for a new musical submitted to the 2017 Toronto Fringe Festival, has its world premiere July 7 at the Randolph Theatre.

In this ground breaking musical tragedy, sisters Mara and Saleet have been left homeless and without family by civil war, and the only thing they have of value is their mother's jewellery, enough to barter for a passage to freedom - for one. Set amid struggle and chaos, it is at heart a story of love, devotion, and sacrifice. This new Canadian musical features a score filled with captivating melodies and relentless rhythms.

Writer/composer Rick Jones was moved to write his script by recent world events, by images of refugees trudging across whole continents, of destroyed cities, of children in shock or dying. "I felt helpless, yet I also felt I needed to do something", admits Jones. "If I can bring their stories to life, allow others to find some insight into their struggle to find safety and freedom, then I can count the play a success."

"This is a universal story told on a personal level" adds veteran Fringe director Barbara Larose. "The themes of sacrifice and survival against tremendous odds are as old as mankind. We have a diverse cast ready to take up the challenge."

Previous Toronto Fringe productions by Thick and Thin Theatre are Life in the Raw (2012) and Millennium Madness Sale (1999), both of which received critical acclaim for the husband and wife team.

The young cast of Liana Bdewi, Trisha Talreja, Nabil Ayoub, Noah Beemer, Milton Dover and Jennifer Walls all studied at Canadian performing arts schools Randolph Academy, Sheridan College, or Canadian College for Performing Arts, and bring a wealth of talent and enthusiasm to the production.

Joining the artistic leadership are music director Robert Graham, choreographer Jennifer Johnson, and assistant director Ellen Green, with lighting design by Melissa Joakim and stage management by Margot Devlin.

Seeking Refuge

Randolph Theatre

736 Bathurst St, one block south of Bloor

Friday July 7, 3:30 / Saturday July 8, 9:15 / Sunday July 9, 3:00 / Tuesday July 11, 9:00

Thursday July 13, 7:00 / Friday July 14, 4:00 / Sunday July 16, 5:15

All tickets $12 available at the door one hour before show time

Advance tickets available at www.torontofringe.com

www.thickandthintheatreproductions.com

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