Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad is a romantic comedy many Canadians will recognize, enjoy and love.
The two-hour play, written by Michael Melski, was first produced in 1999 and follows two divorcees who unexpectedly fall in love while watching their children play hockey at a local arena.
Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad stops in Arborg on Feb. 21 and Gimli on March 17
Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (Royal MTC) is bringing Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad to life as part of its regional tour, featuring a fully Manitoban cast and crew. The production will make two stops in the Interlake: Arborg on Saturday, Feb. 21 and Gimli on Tuesday, March 17.
“Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad fills me with the warmth we need on these cold days,” said director Matthew Paris-Irvine. “It’s a sweet and energetic romantic comedy about two single parents — Teddy and Donna — who learn how to love again while watching their kids play hockey.”
Teddy — played by Devin Lowry — is a larger-than-life character who lives vicariously through his child, openly caring for and proudly sharing in their hockey journey. As Paris-Irvine said, “he’s just like every hockey dad I have ever met.”
Donna — played by Gwendolyn Collins — is described as shy and reserved, while still wanting the very best hockey experience for her child.
In total, two cast members and 10 additional individuals are working behind the scenes to bring Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad to the stage.
“It’s the best touring team I could ask for to bring this all over Manitoba,” Paris-Irvine added. He also gave a special shout-out to local volunteers who assist with set-up and tear-down in each touring community.
Paris-Irvine described Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad as “the most Canadian story” and said he has enjoyed working with the entire cast and crew. Despite the story centring on hockey, he believes anyone — whether a hockey fan or not — will enjoy the play, and might even enjoy it more.
“It’s a story that we all love and yearn for. It brings so much joy, heartbreak and laughter — you have to love it,” he said. “At its core, hockey is a peripheral part that shapes the story, but the story is about these two people coming together despite their past.”
Paris-Irvine said he is most excited for Manitoba audiences to meet Teddy.
“Everyone has a Teddy in their life — he’s a guy with no filter, and there’s something enduring about that.”
He hopes audience members walk away from the performance feeling hopeful and joyful.
“So much about this play is about the ability to form connections and have conversations that feel, at times, impossible. It shows us we can choose joy and choose each other to find our way through difficult situations.”
The first Interlake stop for Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad is at the Arborg-Bifrost Community Centre on Feb. 21 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Hosted by the Arborg and District Multicultural Heritage Village (ADMHC), board chair Pat Eyolfson said the organization hopes to make the evening an inviting experience for all.
“Our goal is to make high-quality live theatre accessible to people who may not be able to travel hours to the city,” she said. “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to partner with MTC and to offer a first-class professional theatre experience right here in the Interlake.”
The final Interlake performance — and the final stop of the tour — will take place at the Gimli Theatre on March 17, also beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Gimli performance is hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Gimli and District Inc., an MTC regional tour partner for more than 35 years.
Kiwanis member Cindy Anderson said the event is important to both the club and the wider community, particularly as performing arts opportunities outside Winnipeg are limited.
“To bring this Royal MTC tour to Gimli is rewarding,” she said. “Over the years we have seen so many remarkable plays enjoyed by all who attend. To hear the laughter, applause and comments as the audience leaves — it’s a good feeling.”
Both ADMHC and the Kiwanis Club are hoping for sellout crowds, with tickets priced at $25 and available through local retailers.
“It means a lot to be able to offer something this special right here at home, and we hope everyone comes out to enjoy a great night together,” Eyolfson added. “We are deeply grateful to MTC for partnering with us. It truly is an honour to work with such a respected and outstanding organization.”
Tickets for the Arborg performance are available at the Arborg Pharmacy or by contacting ADMHC at 204-641-0203.
Tickets for the Gimli performance — taking place just two days before the Winnipeg Jets Town Takeover — are available at Pharmasave, H.P. Tergesen’s, Gimli Theatre and KC Enterprises.
“It’s going to be a fantastic hockey week in Gimli,” Anderson said. “Thank you to our community for always supporting our MTC tour presentation — we look forward to offering this year after year.”
Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad is recommended for audiences aged 12 and older. Adult themes, including explicit language, are present throughout the play. For more information, visit royalmtc.ca/festivals-events/regional-tour.
