By Alicia Ward
Hardcore sports fans might be glued to a screen during the Stanley Cup playoffs, but Michael Melski’s Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad wants to keep your eyes glued to a stage.
“On one level, it’s about two single parents coming together looking for companionship. On another level, the show is about violence in hockey,” explains Mike Griffin, director of the Calgary show, showing from June 15 to 25 at the Epcor Centre’s Motel.
The play follows Teddy and Donna, two single parents of young boys who both enrol their children in hockey. On the stands, Teddy and Donna converse about financial struggles, and their blossoming relationship opens a dialogue about the danger of encouraging sports violence in younger children.
“Does something like encouraging violent behaviour in youth and children . . . create men who then become violent?” asks Griffin.
While any theatregoer will appreciate theatre as a forum for opening up issues in our society, non-theatregoers and hockey fans alike will enjoy the highly complex yet relatable characters who are Teddy and Donna.
Griffin also believes audiences will love a play centred on hockey at this time of year.
“Hopefully [the play’s run will] line up perfectly with the end of the Stanley Cup . . . I think we kind of lucked out with the way the playoffs have gone,” explains Griffin.
And while it’s clear that hockey fans will enjoy this play, so will hopeless romantics.
“It’s got moments of romantic comedy that are kind of sweet. Teddy’s wooing Donna throughout the whole thing . . . it’s quite beautiful at times,” notes Griffin.
Although the budding relationship between the main characters is touching and appealing, Griffin notes that this play is not entirely romantic comedy.
“What I really like about it is that it’s not just a Hugh Grant film,” laughs Griffin.
Griffin is also passionate about his directing style. Having worked on plays as a master’s student at the University of Calgary, he is able to bring his experiences to the
Calgary theatre community.
“It’s really important to me to work in an ensemble environment . . . I’m not the kind of director who just [says] ‘okay, this is where you go and this is what you do.’
I like to run a rehearsal that’s all about exploration and trying to find the inspiration,” says Griffin.
Besides, Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad has more romance and humour than what’s on your TV. What more could you want?