The off-Broadway production of “Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody” is finally hitting home ice in Toronto. The queer hockey romance, inspired by a popular Canadian TV show, will have a limited four-night run at Soulpepper Theatre starting on July 9. Canadian director-producer Alan Kliffer expresses that the decision to bring the show to Canada is not only about timing but also about capitalizing on its momentum.
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 sporadic songwriting sessions to sold-out concert readings and eventually to a successful off-Broadway debut on May 26, with the original eight-week run extended through Sept. 7.
Soulpepper Theatre in Toronto was chosen as the ideal venue for the Canadian premiere, with Kliffer citing his positive past collaborations with artistic director Paolo Santalucia. Santalucia mentioned that the musical parody aligns naturally with Soulpepper’s ethos of showcasing Canadian creativity and diversity.
The Toronto performances, scheduled from July 9 to 12, will be staged as concert readings due to logistical reasons, but Kliffer assures that the essence of the show will remain intact. Following Toronto, the production will head to Montreal’s Just for Laughs comedy festival from July 17 to 19, before expanding its reach to the UK later this year.
Kliffer envisions a full-stage production coming to Canada in the future and hopes to engage the original TV series’ cast and crew in the live experience. The anticipation is high for the show’s Canadian debut, with expectations of a warm reception from fans and newcomers alike.
