The off-Broadway production, “Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody,” is finally hitting home ice advantage as it arrives in Toronto for a limited four-night run at Soulpepper Theatre starting on July 9. Canadian director-producer Alan Kliffer emphasizes the importance of timing in bringing the show to Canada, stating, “It really is time that we brought it over to Canada.”
The show’s inception in Toronto mirrors its origin story. Inspired by the popular TV series “Heated Rivalry,” writer-composer Dylan MarcAurele envisioned turning the beloved romance between characters Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov into a musical. The project gained rapid traction, evolving from songwriting sessions to sold-out concert readings and eventually advancing to an off-Broadway production buoyed by the series’ dedicated fan base.
Reflecting on the show’s swift success in New York, Kliffer expresses astonishment at its immediate impact, noting the extension of the original eight-week run through September 7. Transitioning to Canada, Kliffer chose Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre as the ideal venue, citing his positive past collaborations with artistic director Paolo Santalucia.
Santalucia echoes this sentiment, affirming that the “Heated Rivalry” musical parody naturally belongs at Soulpepper and applauding its ability to engage a passionate global audience. The Canadian debut will feature a staged concert reading from July 9 to July 12, maintaining its essence despite logistical constraints. Following Toronto, the show will head to Montreal’s Just for Laughs comedy festival before expanding its reach to the UK later this year.
Looking ahead, Kliffer envisions a grander production for Canada and anticipates the opportunity for the TV series’ cast and creative team to witness the musical firsthand. He remains optimistic about the show’s future prospects, expressing a desire for continued growth and success on both national and international stages.