Hit off-Broadway Heated Rivalry musical parody confirms UK cast and London run

Exclusive: Casting has been revealed for Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody, as the show confirms a London run after its Edinburgh bow.

The Off-Broadway show is inspired by the hockey drama series and will receive its UK premiere this summer at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it will play at Underbelly George Square.

The show is written by Dylan Marcaurele, whose previous credits include Pop Off, Michelangelo!, and follows Shane Hollander, a golden boy of the ice hockey world, as his story shifts “from power centre to power bottom.”

The production draws on the world of the source material (the breakout smash Canadian sports romance television series) while operating as a parody, independent of the original series. It is directed by Alan Kliffer.

Set to star are Zheng Xi Yong and Joseph Dann, who will play Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, respectively.

They are joined by Andrew Berlin as Ilya’s Dad, Sylvie Stenson as Shane’s Mom and May Tether as Main Susan.

The creative team includes choreographers Brooke Engen and Tiffany Engen, set designer Sully Ross, costume designer Brendan McCann, lighting designer Devin Cameron, sound designer Germán Martinez, casting director Harry Blumenau, associate director Max Reynolds, associate lighting designer Jack Goodwin, costume supervisor Beth Qualter Buncall, props supervisor Anna Hunt, intimacy coordinator Jess Hrabowsky and production manager James Anderton.

MarcAurele and Kliffer said: “We couldn’t be more excited to bring Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody to London this Autumn, and there’s nowhere better than Soho for it to be playing in the city. The reaction to our New York run has been incredible, and it’s been amazing to see how many people have connected with its heart and humour. We can’t wait to bring that same energy to the Edinburgh Fringe next month, and then to share it with London audiences at Underbelly Boulevard in October.’’

After its Edinburgh spell, Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody will head south for a London run at Underbelly Boulevard Soho from 7 October to 1 November.

There are already a couple of other Heated Rivalry parody musicals set for the Fringe that we’ve previously covered, as well as a separate show playing at the Other Palace in London. So with at least four separate productions, expect a heated rivalry.

Heated Rivalry is produced by Klif Entertainment with General Management by Wildpark Entertainment.