Off-Broadway Cast Recording Review: Heated Rivalry

 Off-Broadway Cast Recording Review:

Heated Rivalry:

The Unauthorized Musical Parody

I was on the fence about whether or not I should even listen to this cast recording before seeing the show. Could I wait over a month to listen to the whole thing? Would listening to it spoil any of the surprises of the hit off-Broadway musical Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody? Well, I kinda already spoiled it by listening to the infectious "Gym Song" dozens of times since the music video for it came out. I love it! So, why not listen to the rest of it? After all, I'm sure there are plenty of surprises in the book scenes.

As it turns out, I'm glad I listened to this fun cast recording ahead of seeing the show. Dylan MarcAurele's rapid fire lyrics are laugh out loud funny, so funny that at times I missed some of it because I was laughing. And the infectious tunes also by MarcAurele are serious bops, every one. Like all good parodies, this one skewers its source material while treating it with respect and - in this case - heartfelt love. I suspect anyone who sees this show won't appreciate all of it if they aren't familiar with the TV series. That said, there are enough sports (not just hockey) references and sec jokes to give even novices belly laughs. (I wouldn't necessarily play this where younger ears may hear it...)

Another smart thing about this score - and I'll assume the book is similarly smart - is that it cleverly sets up the conceit of the musical versus the novel versus the series in the opening number, "What We Want," also reprised as the finale. I won't spoil it for those of you haven't seen it yet, but I will say it really shows how aware the whole team is of its impact on culture. I love that the song pays tribute to both its Canadian roots and the woman that started it all, author Rachel Reid.

As far as the recording goes, the sound is impressive, with the music coming across as full-bodied and cleverly orchestrated. Vocally, it is also striking. Often, it struck me as remarkable that all of that was coming from just six voices! Most of the company plays several characters, and the recording has me excited to see how they play the characters as uniquely as their voices do. Ryann Redmond, who I've loved since I first saw her in Bring It On: The Musical, is a riot, and uses her impressive voice to give legitimate bona fides to each song she sings, especially "You're a Gay Guy." That song, like nearly all the others, encapsulates the idea that while it is outrageous fun, and really kinda dirty, it also has a sincerity and warmth that makes it all work so well. Cherry Torres and Ryan Duncan are similarly gifted with comic chops and versatility. Duncan is particularly funny as the counterpoint in "Gym Song."

Like the show and novel, the musical centers around Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, and the recording really shows how great the casting is/was, with star turns by both Jay Armstrong Johnson and Jimin Moon, respectively. (Though Moon is no longer with the show, I'm sure his replacement, Troy Iwata, will be terrific.) 

The score, at least, if not the book, relies heavily on Shane Hollander's story, and as such he carries the heavier burden here. His sincerity and wide-eyed wonder at all of his self-discoveries comes across easily in Moon's interpretations. That's not meant to imply that the character, actor or songs are overwrought, but rather that he makes oblivious observations - dick jokes and double entendre are the point here - and the delivery is priceless. "I Can Host" gives him a terrific 11 o'clock number. 

Johnson does a spot-on Russian accent that is both realistic and the height of parody. His big number, "Big Ass, Cold Heart," manages to be both hysterical and touching. And when he utters the famous line, "I'm coming to the cottage," I have to believe he stops the show cold.

At just about 35-40 minutes, the cast recording proves to be smart enough not to wear out its welcome, but is also easy to listen to multiple times. I'm glad I chose to hear this ahead of seeing it, as I can now watch the show with the ease of not having to concentrate so hard on the words that I miss some of the action and what will surely be equally clever staging.

Here's to the rink, the Marriott gym and the cottage. Give this one a listen!

Grade: A