The off-Broadway production, “Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody,” is finally coming to its home base in Toronto. The show, a queer hockey romance inspired by a popular Canadian TV series, will have a limited four-night run at Soulpepper Theatre starting on July 9. Canadian director-producer Alan Kliffer expressed that the timing was right to bring the show to Canada.
The idea for the musical parody originated from writer-composer Dylan MarcAurele after binge-watching the TV series. The concept quickly gained traction, evolving from writing songs to sold-out concert readings and eventually landing an off-Broadway production that has been extended due to its success.
Soulpepper Theatre in Toronto was chosen as the venue for the Canadian debut of the show. Artistic director Paolo Santalucia expressed excitement about hosting the production, emphasizing its alignment with the theatre’s values of showcasing Canadian talent with joy and creativity.
The Toronto performances, scheduled from July 9 to July 12, will be presented as staged concert readings due to logistical reasons but promise to deliver an engaging experience with light costuming and props. Following Toronto, the cast will move to Montreal’s Just for Laughs comedy festival before embarking on a U.K. production later in the year.
Kliffer hinted at the possibility of a full-stage production coming to Canada in the future and expressed a desire for the stars and creative team of the original TV series to witness the live adaptation in Toronto. The anticipation is high for the show’s Canadian premiere and its potential for further growth on the global stage.