CROSS-CANADA TOUR – (CANADIAN CHRISTIAN NEWS SERVICE) — How does someone survive 14 years of torture, imprisonment and starvation? And how do they emerge from that smiling?
During the month of April 2017, Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC) will be birthing the world premiere of a stage play that enacts incredible true stories of best-selling author Richard Wurmbrand, while also addressing Christian persecution around the world today. After debuting in southern Ontario this month, Solitary Refinement will be commencing its nationwide tour across Canada in the fall. To attend, or for information on how to book the presentation in your community, visit www.vomcanada.com/touring.
This immersive experience expresses two parts of the 40-year-old mandate of VOMC: inspiring and educating Canadians on ways to assist in the support of Christian victims of persecution globally. The stage play brings to life the ministry’s late founder, Richard Wurmbrand (author of Tortured For Christ), to tell his own transcendent tale from a transformative prison cell.
Award-winning playwright Dennis Hassell confesses, “In researching Richard Wurmbrand’s story, I was surprised by joy. I discovered a man overflowing with hope and love – and even humour. Amid the suffering, he found the supernatural. He found Christ in ways more tangible than we normally find in our comfortable churches.” He blurts, “Richard never wanted us to feel sorry for him; he felt sorry for us!”
Dennis Hassell also performs the role of Richard Wurmbrand, in collaboration with director Tom Carson, a triple Dora Award nominee. Hassel and Carson have partnered on nationally touring hit shows like The Big Picture, 2000 Candles, The Missionary, and The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass. They are thrilled to be joined creatively by Emmy and Gemini Award-winning composer Tom Szczesniak in creating an original score. Videography and state-of-the-art lighting also unite in bringing you into the story.
The production was four years in the making. “The play is affirming and informing, but also challenging,” states Executive Producer and VOMC’s CEO Doug McKenzie. “It poses a powerful question in the here and now. Would we be willing to die for Christ, as others are doing in so many countries today?”
VOMC will be presenting the event for the community at large, free of charge.
For ages 13 & up. Run time: One hour. Voluntary contributions toward touring expenses will be gratefully accepted.
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For more information, visit: www.vomcanada.com/touring
