A celebration of inclusion, love, and how we define family will be on display at the world premiere of Vancouver playwright Dave Deveau’s The Papa Penguin Play.

Running from May 15 to June 2 at Granville Island’s Waterfront Theatre, The Papa Penguin Play takes inspiration from the real-life story of two male penguins at New York’s Central Park Zoo who looked after an egg together—creating their own family unit.

“Since my husband and I became fathers six years ago, we’ve searched for stories that represent and celebrate queer families, and the adorable children’s book, And Tango Makes Three—about Central Park Zoo’s unconventional penguin family—has been an inspiration,” says Deveau (also the co-artistic and managing director of Carousel Theatre for Young People) in a release. “I wanted to create a work that added to this legacy in recognition of the many different ways a family can look, while also being an exuberant celebration of one of life’s most exciting milestones—a baby’s first birthday!”

The play follows Peaches and Izzy, two penguin fathers with dreams of creating a family of their own. Their dreams come to fruition with the help of a zookeeper who gives them an egg, leading to the birth of their baby chick, Hedgie. The story unfolds over Hedgie’s birthday party—complete with puppetry, drag shows, and musical numbers.

The Papa Penguin Play is indeed a family affair—it’s directed by Deveau’s husband, Cameron Mackenzie, and stars Jeffrey Follis, Kosta Lemermeyer, Rae Takei, and Katie Voravong. 

“It is an essential part of CTYP’s mission to tell stories with, for, by, and about underrepresented youth and families,” says Jennica Grienke, co-artistic and managing director of Carousel Theatre for Young People, in the release. “For far too long CTYP’s stage ignored queer families. We are here to celebrate them now!”

The Papa Penguin Play

When: May 15 to June 2

Where: Waterfront Theatre

Tickets: $18 and up, available here