The off-Broadway production “Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody” is finally hitting home ice advantage as it skates into Toronto for a three-night run at Soulpepper Theatre starting on July 9. Canadian director-producer Alan Kliffer emphasizes that the timing is right to bring the show to Canada.
Inspired by the popular Canadian TV series, writer-composer Dylan MarcAurele transformed the queer hockey romance between Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov into a musical after binge-watching the show. The production quickly gained momentum, transitioning from songwriting sessions to sold-out concert readings and eventually landing an off-Broadway run that has been extended due to its success.
Soulpepper Theatre in Toronto was chosen as the perfect venue for the Canadian debut of the musical parody, with artistic director Paolo Santalucia expressing excitement about hosting the show. The Canadian cast, carefully selected by Kliffer, will present a staged concert reading in Toronto before heading to Montreal’s Just for Laughs comedy festival.
Despite being a concert reading, the Toronto performances promise to be engaging with limited staging elements. Kliffer hinted at plans for a U.K. production later this year, indicating the show’s growing reach. Looking ahead, Kliffer envisions a full-stage production in Canada and hopes to attract the stars and creative team of the original TV series to witness the adaptation firsthand.