Quote of the Day: It’s easy to connect with a person who has so much passion for her craft. Brynn Kelly on playing the legendary Canadian hockey player Hilda Ranscombe in Glory at Theatre in the Round Players in Minneapolis, MN, thru Feb. 9, 2025. 

Glory by Tracey Power is a highly engaging play about legendary hockey player Hilda Ranscombe and her team the Preston Rivulettes. Set in the depression era in Canada, in a time period between two devasting world wars, a women’s hockey team rose up and flourished. They fought sexism, prejudice, and oppressive social standards. Yet, they prevailed. 

Cast of Glory at Theatre in the Round Players
Photo: Tom Taintor

I can’t say enough about the powerful inspiration of this play and the women it represents. This is a wonderfully researched script that highlights two sets of sisters who formed the Preston Rivulettes in 1931 in Preston, Canada, now Cambridge. The play opens with them coming off a winning game of softball and talking about forming a hockey team. Of course, there was push-back from their community, and they had to fight for ice time, coming in at predawn times or very late, after the men had their time on the ice. Even if you’re not a huge sports fan, or don’t know much about hockey or its players, this play inspires on so many levels. Watching these young women fight for their right to play, to have ice time, and to gain respect from their community near and far makes you realize how much moxie and grit it takes to persevere. We, as the audience, rooted them on, cheering when they made a goal during their games and sighing, even crying, at the heartbreaks.

This small cast of four women, one coach, and one announcer, represents the team that paved the way for women in sports around the world. Brynn Kelly sells it as Hilda Ranscombe. I felt the passion that she describes in the quote above. Her moves on the “ice” were terrific. They all wear black shoes that easily slide on the stage of Theatre in the Round that is painted like an ice hockey floor. Gabrielle Johnson plays Hilda’s sister Nellie, who is the poorest skater and the hardest fighter. She is cast as the goalie, and we feel her fear and pain as that imaginary puck drives at her face! Kelly Solberg plays Marm Schmuck, and Josie Ramler plays her sister Helen Schmuck. They are Jewish and start to feel the sting of prejudice as Jewish hate builds in Europe, and at home. The tensions on and off the ice, on and off the stage, rise.

D’aniel Stock plays Herb Fach, their reluctant coach. His accent is so good, I thought he might actually be Canadian. He experiences his own prejudices from society, as his family had been interred in camps during WWI in Canada, for being German. He also had his moment of glory as a hockey player, but it ended in an upsetting way. The sixth member of the cast is the announcer played by Ron Lamprecht. He calls the shots and the inappropriate comments with a wonderfully booming voice.

Cast of Glory at Theatre in the Round Players
Photo: Tom Taintor

This is a great play for anyone to see. Bring the kids and talk about the historical significance. Bring the grandparents and ask them what has changed, or hasn’t, in the world for women in sports – and other areas of life. Bring a friend, because you’ll want to discuss it afterwards. And, maybe bring a tissue, because that ending grabs at your heart and gives it a big tug. Glory is beautifully acted by this talented cast. The director Sean Dooley really knows how to use the “in the round” space at TRP well. He staged scenes facing every angle, moving the net to various sides, having the actors turn and face all sections of the audience during significant scenes. The play is set to music of the jazz age, and Antonia Perez choreographs dance/skating moves to perfection. I never lost interest, and I leaned forward many times to take it all in! Set design is by Keven Lock, always an artistic challenge in this space, but I love what they can do with movable set pieces, paint, and angles. Lighting design by Andrew C. Kedl. Gorgeous period and player costumes by Parker Adams. Props by Elliott Van Winkle, and sound design by Abe Gabor.

Glory is one of the most engaging plays I’ve seen. My daughter in law said it best: It’s like A League of their Own meets Miracle. I recommend it to everyone. I also encourage local high schools to put on their own production. This would fit so well with their age group and curriculum. The entire school could be in on its development, delving into the historical aspects, and the athletic department could also feel represented. You can see Glory at Theatre in the Round Players in Minneapolis, MN through Feb. 9, 2025.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Quote of the Day: What are/were some of your extracurricular activities? Do you know their history? Who paved the way for you in your skills and passions?