From Press Release
The Stain
Forgiveness or Retribution, which would you choose?
Could you build a relationship with the person who hurt you the most?
The Stain is the transformative story of Mary, a woman whose son was tragically murdered, and Jason, the boy who killed him. Mary tries to make sense of her loss but doesn’t know how. Jason is ready to commit to a life on the margins and give up on any hope for something better. As a last resort, Mary attempts to confront Jason in prison in hopes of finally getting closure. Are forgiveness, compassion and understanding obsolete in a society that defines justice as
retribution?
With the Canadian Conservative party’s Omnibus Crime bill recently coming into effect, it is important, now more than ever, to consider alternative options to institutional and retributive methods of justice. Prison sentences rarely amount to a sense of justice for the victim or a lower rate of recidivism for the offender. So often in the criminal justice system, victims and offenders are never given the chance to confront one another. They are separate parts of a faceless system
that institutionalizes justice.
The Stain is about how we as a society can repair the psychological damage of crimes in a way that humanizes both the offender and the victim. It is about how people have the capacity to forgive even in the most tragic of circumstances and how people can find peace in the strength of humanity.
The Stain features a seasoned cast of Canadian talent led by Peter Higginson and starring Harrison Coe, Sean Kaufmann, Marta Legrady, and Johnell McClelland. The Stain was written and directed by Andrew Domingues Frade, an up and coming artist and, a recent graduate of the Ontario College of Art & Design University, Toronto, ON. Recently, Andrew received the Visual Thesis Award from the T24 Project, and OCADU’s William F White Award for his thesis production of You Are Not Your Thesis. He is currently working with the PACT film program, which teaches youth at risk how to write and produce short films.
The outstanding cast credits include:
Harrison Coe – Harrison’s career has revolved around his TV appearances in The Outer Limits, The X Files, Stargate and more recently as a reoccurring role in the HBO show created by George F. Walker, Living in Your Car.
Peter Higginson – Peter has enjoyed the privilege of acting in over 150 stage and screen productions in Britain, Kuwait and Canada, ranging from ancient Greek drama. His last appearance on stage was in March 2012 as Nonno in the Hart House production of The Night of the Iguana.
Sean Kaufmann – Sean is a veteran of the Indie film scene. Currently, Sean can be seen as Cormac on HBO’s new series “Lingerie,” as Wesley Little in the indie dark comedy “Anything Goes,” and on BiteTv as the thorn-in-the-side reporter Scott Hammer in the series “Team Epic.”
Marta Legrady – Marta’s recent work has been in film where she has enjoyed working in many indie films including the award winning “Out on that Deep Blue Sea.”
Johnell McClelland – Johnell’s favourite roles include her portrayal of Joyce/Isabella Bird in Top Girls and Horatio in Hamlet.
The Stain is an engaging production that will stimulate thought. Leaving you to decide, “what would you do in a similar situation?” The combination of a strong, talented cast and thought provoking play will make for an entertaining and enjoyable production.
Ampex Entertainment in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival presents The Stain. Written and Directed by Andrew Domingues Frade Starring Harrison Coe, Peter Higginson, Sean Kaufmann, Marta Legrady, and Johnell McClelland
Assistant Directed by Aubrey Abaya
Opens Thursday, July 5, 2012 runs to Saturday, July 14, 2012
Robert Gill Theatre, 214 College Street Toronto, ON
Performances:
July 5, 8:15 p.m. – Opening Night Gala
July 6, 5:15 p.m.
July 7, 4:30 p.m.
July 8, 12:30 p.m.
July 10, 2:45 p.m. – Media Mania
July 13, 1:45 pm
July 14, 9:15 p.m. – Closing Night Wrap Party
Tickets:
General Seating Ticket Price: $10.00
Tickets and Fringe passes can be purchased online at The Toronto Fringe Festival or at The Fringe Box Office. For more information, visit www.ampexentertainment.ca or www.fringetoronto.com. Onsite tickets will be sold 1 hour prior to the show time at the venue box offices and all At-The-Door sales are cash or Fringe Pass only