Charitable theatre production starts Oct. 9

A student-driven theatre production is raising funds for the local Loaves and Fishes food bank.

VIU


theatre students are presenting a production of Jerry Finnegan’s Sister


at the VIU theatre from Oct. 9 – 11. All proceeds from the play will go


to the local Loaves and Fishes food bank in Nanaimo.

“It’s


important for Vancouver island University students to hold events like


this,” said Kelsey Brown, the show’s director and one of the event’s


coordinators. “It’s important, not only for the great learning


experience, but also because it allows us to help out in our community.”

Jerry


Finnegan’s Sister is a highly acclaimed, touching comedy that has


charmed audiences of all ages and has been produced with great success


in a number of theatres nationwide. It has been hailed by critics as a


comic delight with enough laughs to please any audience. In the play,


main character Brian is forced to come to terms with his secret


feelings for his best friend’s sister, who is about to get married.


Brian realizes his time is running out and that he has reached the


point of no return. In a series of fast moving, hysterically funny


scenes, two actors play Brian and Beth from ages seven and six, through


their adolescent and teen years, right up to the moment when the play


is happening, when they’re both in their early 20s.

Proceeds


will go to the Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes Food Bank, a non-profit


organization that helps people in need. The food bank is always in need


of donated food and funds, but Brown says the local food bank is


particularly low on donations this month.

“We have chosen to


help raise money for Loaves and Fishes because we heard they were in


desperate need and we wanted to use our resources to help raise funds.


We have a responsibility as visible community members to support the


community, but also to encourage others to do so,” she said.

The


show runs from October 9 – 11 at 8pm at the VIU theatre (Bldg. 310).


Admission on October 9 and 11 is ten dollars. On October 10, a special


Gala ($65) will be held with dinner served at 6:30 pm in the Arbutus


Room (Bldg. 300) followed by a silent auction and a performance of the


play at 8 pm. Admission to the show alone on the 10th is $20. The play


also runs October 9 at noon (high school matinee and food drive), with


admission at ten dollars or minimum two non-perishable food items.

Tickets are available at the VIU theatre box office, Loaves and Fishes, Beban Park and Falconer Books.

For


further information or to purchase tickets, please contact the VIU


theatre box office at 250-740-6100 or email


pearlanne.gray@stumail.viu.ca