"But, wow, it works," says [Miriam Toews], who saw the premiere at Theatre Network in Edmonton in 2004. "For me, the most powerful thing was to see the little bits of our lives brought to life, which was so cool and nerve-wracking."

"Single mothers are the unsung heroes in our society," he says. "It's a sad fact that religion, politics and sexual morality play a part in how that group is treated. Politicians think nice girls would have not have allowed themselves to be in that situation, and that plays a part in how they are treated."

"It's not the time I'm known for in Winnipeg," says the actor/playwright, who hopes to be at next summer's fringe with a gay rap opera called Bash'd. "The Warehouse is very familiar to me and I always feel good walking by that throng of people (lined up to see his shows). I'm glad this time they will be inside and warm with their tickets in hand."