Chemainus Theatre Festival鈥檚 2025 season begins with laughter, music and the warmth of friendship in the ice-fishing musical Guys on Ice.
Running from March 14 to April 6, this warm-hearted show launches the season.
Fans of Lumberjacks in Love, the 2019 Chemainus Theatre Festival hit, will be delighted to see another work from its creators, Fred Alley and James Kaplan, as Guys on Ice brings their signature mix of humour, music and heartfelt storytelling.
Set in Parry Sound, Ont., the story follows lifelong best friends Marvin and Lloyd, played by Sean Baker and Mark DuMez, as they wait for the 鈥渂ig one鈥� to bite. But fishing is just the backdrop. What unfolds is a hilarious and relatable look at friendship, small-town life and the little things that bring people together.
鈥淭hey come from a good, honest place. Small town. They can think of nothing better than to go fishing for a day to sort themselves out when life gets challenging,鈥� said Baker.
鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of like if you took Red Green, mixed in the McKenzie Brothers, added a dash of really fun music and songs, and maybe a little bit of Waiting for Godot on the top,鈥� said DuMez.
Audiences will be delighted to see DuMez back on stage. As artistic director of Chemainus Theatre Festival, he only acts in productions every five to seven years.
Meanwhile, Sean Baker, who played Terry in last season鈥檚 Hurry Hard, brings his comedic charm and impressive vocals to Marvin.
Beyond the laughs and music, Guys on Ice offers something rare: a chance to step away from distractions and be fully present. Kind of like fishing.
鈥淔ishing lets you tune out the world for a bit. There鈥檚 something really calming about it,鈥� said Baker. 鈥淵ou have to be patient, and even when you鈥檙e just sitting there, you鈥檙e still engaged. Theatre is like that too. You step into a space where you鈥檙e fully present, just experiencing the story.鈥�
Director Max Reimer echoes that sentiment.
鈥淭here鈥檚 something unique about being in a theatre with other people, all responding to the same moment together,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hese are social events that are heightened because they鈥檙e shared, and that鈥檚 what makes theatre great.鈥�
Reimer has led some of Canada鈥檚 most respected theatre companies. He served as artistic managing director of the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company and artistic director of the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. Having directed everything from large-scale musicals to contemporary dramas, he understands what makes theatre connect with audiences.
鈥淵ou're always looking for the universal, the thing that means something to everyone,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hen you see those human moments 鈥� moments of longing, hope, and comedy 鈥� that's gold.鈥�
While Guys on Ice has been performed across North America, its intimate setting makes it a great fit for the Chemainus Theatre Festival. The show thrives in a space where the audience can feel immersed in the humour and warmth of Marvin and Lloyd鈥檚 world.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a great way to start the year,鈥� said Reimer. 鈥淚t鈥檚 funny, it鈥檚 heartfelt and it reminds us of the simple joys that theatre and life can bring.鈥�
Even those who think they don鈥檛 like musicals will be charmed by the fun, folksy songs in the show.
鈥淭here鈥檚 music all around,鈥� said Reimer. 鈥淭hey listen to music. There are folksy songs on the radio, and it just brings all those little elements into the actual ice fishing so it feels authentic. It feels like these guys would be in this world, and it heightens it a little. And the idea, of course, is to have fun. The music only helps.鈥�
Baker and DuMez agree that music gives their characters, two guys who aren鈥檛 great at talking about their feelings, a different way to communicate. Well, that and fish metaphors.
Guys on Ice isn鈥檛 just a musical 鈥� it鈥檚 an invitation to sit back, share a laugh, and kick off the 2025 season with warmth and friendship.
Tickets to Guys on Ice can be purchased at or by calling 250-246-9820. For a complete theatre experience, the Playbill Dining Room offers a pre-show meal, making for a perfect night out in Chemainus.
