No Chance in Hell takes stage at Toronto's Fringe Festival Musical written by Oakville screenwriter Chris John by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff Artscene 13 | Friday, July 4, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" No Chance in Hell, which is taking the stage at the Toronto Fringe Festival July 3-13, wasn't always a full musical production. In fact, as Oakville screenwriter Chris John shared with the Oakville Beaver, it was originally written as a film script. "It metamorphasized over a number of months. When you're writing a story, it starts off one way and then, as you massage it and go through the process, it changes to other things," he explained. "I'd written it as a film script and I like the idea of heaven and hell, good and bad and a love story wrapped in those elements, so I thought it was interesting (to explore) what if you get to the pearly gates and they can't find your file? Can you convince somebody that you deserve to be in heaven? That's how it all started." John, who has lived in Oakville for 24 years, added with his musical background -- having graduated from Sheridan College's Trafalgar Road campus' musical theatre program -- he always felt the film had theatrical elements. Once he began the exercise of transforming the script into one that incorporated music and parts that broke out into song, he said it just all came together. Fast forward a year and having been chosen as one of 150 shows being featured at the 2014 Toronto Fringe Festival, No Chance in Hell is being staged at the Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse on George Street in Toronto until July 13. For specific performance dates and times, visit www.fringetoronto. com. The production tells the story of John, who arrives at the pearly gates of heaven only to be informed his file is missing. He is sent to hell where he meets the love of his afterlife and then he is told his file has been found. John, who has written, directed and produced two award-winning short films, Karma and Curve Balls, describes how the production has taken on a life of its own with such a talented and professional team behind it. Directed by Dora-nominated director Lezlie Wade with music by Kevin Fox, it also features up-and-coming talented actors Isaac Bell, Jake Foy, Joel Gomez, Jacob MacInnis, Dana Jean Phoenix, Susan Wesson, JodyAnne Whitfield and Jonathan Whittaker. "The show turned out to be way more powerful than I ever imagined," he said. John, who is excited to share the show, added he's hoping the audience will see there's good in everyone and that you might not be as bad as you think you are. For tickets, visit www.fringetoronto.com or call 416-966-1062. The festival box office is located in the parking lot behind Honest Ed's on Bloor Street West in Toronto. No Chance in Hell is written by Oakville resident Chris John (left) and directed by Lezlie Wade (middle), with music by Kevin Fox. It's showing at the Toronto Fringe Festival July 3-13. | submitted photo S T U D E N T S S H O W C A S E T A L E N T Glenburnie School on Upper Middle Road East hosted its Festival of the Arts night June 12 to celebrate all aspects of performing and visual arts. It featured a special presentation from students in Grades 4-8, the junior/intermediate choir and the Glenburnie Concert Band. Students sang timeless songs from The Beatles' Yellow Submarine and acted out short scenes from the popular film. From left are: Elizabeth Peters, Tanya Karaulshchykova, Sarah Simpson, Erica Friedlander, Samantha McBride, Tasha Liang and Morven McNeil. | photo courtesy of Glenburnie School As seen on CHCH and CityLine RE-USE RECYCLE REFURBISH European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship your indoor/outdoor metal, wicker and wood furniture, doors, cupboards and collectibles. 10% Off Spraying Of All Outdoor Furniture For July & August Only #1A-1254 Plains Rd. E., Burlington 2917 Lakeshore Blvd. West, Etobicoke "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" www.paintitlikenew.com 905.849.0266 905-631-REDO (7336) 416-259-2276 Showroom open 10:00-5:00 Monday-Saturday