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Finding hope in hard times with Christmas production

Five Corners Christmas production at Alliance Church follows the lives of four families as they grapple with the Great Depression
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Five Corners Christmas runs at Chilliwack Alliance Church Friday December 6 at 7 p.m. and Saturday December 7 p.m. at 2:30 p.m and 7 p.m. and Sunday December 8 at 2:30 p.m.

It's the fourth year for Chilliwack Alliance Church's homespun Christmas production Dec. 6-8, as it presents Five Corners Christmas — The Dirty 30s Hope in Hard Times.

This year, the Five Corners Christmas production follows the lives of four families as they grapple with the struggles and hardships of the Great Depression.

"Through the generosity of friendship, the kindness of strangers and their commitment to faith and love, these families strive to find hope in the hard times."

The script was written by Chilliwack resident Glen Pinchin and the play is directed by Megan Mackenzie, a regular in Chilliwack theatre circles.

The Great Depression saw worldwide economic decline in the decade preceding World War II. The timing varied across nations, but it hit the hardest after the stock market crash in 1929. It raised the unemployment rate and everyone saw a spike transient workers riding the rails.

The play engages the talents of 11 actors, 60 choir members and a small orchestra.  The leading roles of Thomas Howard, Sr. and Jean Thomas are being portrayed by Walt Derksen and Miriam Martin.

Thomas Smith and Rebecca Mackenzie, graduates of the University of the Fraser Valley Theatre Program are playing the roles of Felix and Flossie Fletcher.  Other cast members include Joel de Zwaan, Jordyn Downey, Sara Dyck, Kevin Hegeman, Danielle Milette, Lauryn Werner and Parker Zacharias.

After each performance children are invited to visit The Train Station Kids’ Feature where they can interact with actors from the production and snack on 1930’s candy.

Five Corners Christmas runs Friday December 6 at 7 p.m.; Saturday December 7 at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday December 8 at 2:30 p.m.  Everyone needs a ticket and they are free of charge (a free will offering will be collected) available at the Chilliwack Alliance Church office, 8700 Young Road.