The sexually charged hockey show receives an Off-Broadway adaptation featuring shirtless scenes, witty one-liners, and a tribute to Liza Minnelli. Upon entering the Culture Club in West Chelsea, New York, for a performance of “Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody,” I was initially struck by remnants of its previous identity as the McKittrick Hotel, the venue for the immersive theatrical experience “Sleep No More.”
The first lingering element was the ghost of clever detail: the presence of Athletic IPAs for sale, a charming, non-alcoholic nod to the hugely popular series’ hockey theme. The second was a sense of unnerving apprehension, as I realized there would be no alcohol served at this musical satire. Could I endure 90 minutes of jokes about an overexposed Canadian gay sports romance, with no guarantee of quality and a significantly lowered blood alcohol concentration? Unlike the downtown premiere of the successful parody “Titanique,” which, even before its Tony nominations, allowed patrons to order buckets of White Claws, this production presented a different challenge.
However, the third specter materialized – the ghost of immersion and surrender. This exceptionally funny production ultimately won me over completely. (I have since learned that a liquor license is anticipated.)
For those unfamiliar, “Heated Rivalry” is a television series adapted from a collection of gay romance novels by Rachel Reid, a heterosexual author who, unintentionally, ignited countless discussions about who is entitled to express desire, and in what manner and when. Fans of the books advocated for a wider release of the show, which was produced for the Canadian streamer Crave last November. Approximately six months later, its previously unknown stars, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, are easily contenders for being among the most photographed individuals globally.
“Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody” represents the newest offering in New York City’s thriving musical parody industry. This has led me to a theater lobby where a woman wearing a branded hockey jersey is confiding in the stranger beside her that she has watched the series “probably not as many times as you think, but still a lot.”