A brand new stage-to-theatre adaptation of The Hiding Place will hit the big screen in Winnipeg for two days.
The Hiding Place, based on the internationally bestselling memoir by Corrie Ten Boom is a true story of faith, hope, love and forgiveness in the face of unthinkable evil.
It tells the heroic true story of Corrie Ten Boom and her family, who risked everything to hide Jewish refugees by the hundreds during World War II before being discovered and ultimately facing the consequences.
The last theatrical adaptation of the Corrie Ten Boom story was released in 1975.
The film stars Nashville stage actress Nan Arnold Gurley (A Streetcar Named Desire, Gypsy, Hello Dolly!) as Corrie Ten Boom; Broadway, film and television veteran Conrad John Schuck (M.A.S.H., Annie, Nice Work If You Can Get It) as Casper Ten Boom; and actress and singer Carrie Tillis (Keep on the Sunny Side, The Tammy Wynette Story) as Betsie Ten Boom.
"I've been on stage for 50 years and this role is the role for me to end all roles, said Nan. "It's just such an honour to tell this story."
Adapted for the stage by A. S. Peterson and directed for the stage by Matt Logan, The Hiding Place was filmed live for cinema audiences at the Soli Deo Center in Nashville, Tennessee, during a four-week run to sold-out audiences in 2022. The film is directed by Laura Matula.
“Theatre is something that we believe can change the world,” said Peterson. “Even though The Hiding Place is set in the ‘40s, there are parallels to the challenges we still face. It's people hating and not accepting one another and a family in the middle of that having to choose how to react. Ultimately, it makes viewers contemplate, ‘Are we going to love the people in front of us no matter who they are?’”
"If Hebrews 11 were being written today, the Ten Boom family would be listed in that chapter as Heroes of the Faith," said Nan Gurley.
One reason Nan says it is so important to tell this story is that it's too easy to look at these people as icons of the faith who came into this world fully formed as heroes. She says that isn't true.
"They grew in their courage and in their faith. They were living hidden lives of faithfulness, hidden lives of obedience all along. And then they had this opportunity to step into this moment in history," said Nan. "This was the hour they were born for and they continued in this hidden act of obedience, day after day, even though the stakes were so much higher."
At the end of the day, Nan hopes that the audience will learn to prepare now.
"You never know what your greatest or your finest moment will be, but you'll be ready for it," said Nan."I hope people walk away with courage and fearlessness."
The Hiding Place will show in select Canadian theatres, including the Cineplex Odeon McGillivray and VIP Cinemas in Winnipeg on Aug. 3 and Aug. 5. Tickets are available at thehidingplacefilm.com.