clever chickadee productions about the show Project Description Escape From Grace at the Toronto International Fringe Festival. Escape from Grace, a new Canadian play by Haley McGee, is at once a poignant and hilarious theatrical experience, a celebration of the moments of comedy that help to put grief into perspective. Development History A product of Ryerson University’s prestigious theatre training program, Escape From Grace began as a monologue for a class taught by the critically acclaimed playwright, Sheldon Rosen. After many readings at the Ryerson’s Guerrilla Theatre, the play was directed by Jordan Pettle in its first workshop production for Ryerson Theatre School’s New Voices Festival, where it enjoyed a sold-out run.  Synopsis Escape From Grace follows the struggles of the McCarthy family as they “help” their father, Winston (Paul Rainville), deal with the death of his youngest child. Every other character has found something to help them cope. Whether it is golf, academia, yogic energy, or drugs, the family members are slowly finding footholds in normal life. Gathering for Winston’s birthday, they use these footholds in a sometimes frantic attempt to help him reclaim his life. Do they succeed?—not without more drastic acts of atonement and glimpses of surprising hope. Winston’s wife Joan (Marianne McIssac), who has found her own peculiar ways of managing psychic energies, butts heads with his flamboyant, artistic older brother, Uncle Mackers (Paul Amato) as they attempt to pull Winston out of his depression.  He tries to tackle grief and depression head on, presenting a work of art paying tribute to his drowned niece.  Meanwhile, Winston and Joan’s four children are having struggles of their own—not only with the loss of a sibling and the depression of their father, but also with the normal issues facing young adults.  Kate (Marla Brennan) escapes to academia and her studies there, which provide her with a means to rationalize everything.   Adam (Jesse Griffiths), extremely repressed (especially about his sexuality) throws himself into practicing for a golf tournament.  Suffering from survivor’s guilt, Johnny (Simon Rainville) finds temporary solace in drug induced hallucinations of his dead sister.  And Vivian (Carlyn Burchell), 16 years old, spends as much time with her new boyfriend at his house so as to avoid the craziness at home.