Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad at the Roxy

Friday night I went to see Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad at the Roxy. I went with AM and my Mom. Overall it was a good show, but there were some problems with it. The problems were primarily with the script. I think it would have been better as a one act and more interesting/realistic if the focus had not been on the "romantic relationship" of the two characters. The program talked a lot about violence in youth sport and its connection to parents encouraging it and I think that was the more interesting issue. I think it could have been explored even if the two hockey parents were friends, not necessarily lovers (were they or weren't they?). The other major problem was the ending. It felt like it just needed to end a scene earlier and the actual end was unclear. I think that was a script thing, too, but it may have been a directing thing. The actors were really good, especially "Donna", but she had the character that 'grew more' so she was given more to work with.

As a playwright, I am really paying attention to how the story was crafted. I think i have always done this, but I am more aware of it now. I remember seeing "Good" at the U of A years ago and laughing where no one else did because the script was so good, even if the actors were not. I can still remember the director asking me if I was sitting in (I was ushering) and looking hopeful because he knew I would laugh at the right places.

A Visit to the Past

Last night I went and watched the Alberta Regional CIG finals at Eastglen High School. I went to cheer on the Westwood Team, as well as to watch the improv as a whole. I also figured that I would see several students from the past - which I did. It was a good night of Improv. Westwood did not win, they placed second, but they played very well. I still find it hard to watch CIG without thinking like a coach and analyzing all the scenes. I think that is why I prefer watching Theatre Sports now, because there is less structure and fewer rules so I don't sit and think about story, and character, and using the suggestion and all that. I did let some of the analysis go, so I got laughs out of the evening. I think that the kids should feel good because they entertained well and I know from experience how hard it is to come second (particularly when you are used to winning). I heard from one of the adjudicators that the team (WIT) was taking it really well and genuinely seemed happy for Harry Ainlay. I hope so because they deserve to feel good about a great night of entertainment.

It was good to see the kids from the past. They made me feel good, because they seemed happy to see me too. That's always nice for a teacher. They make me remember the GREAT THINGS about my teaching career and then I think a little less about the crappy things that went on in those last few years. I always felt bad at the end, because at the time it was so hard to watch WIT play back then. It was all wrapped up with feeling betrayed and bullied. I shall have to go and watch Theatre Sports and Chimprov (if I can stay up late enough) so that I can watch them as mature (?) adults, and separate their improv from the whole high school memory stuff.