Off-Broadway musical parody Heated Rivalry transfers to Underbelly Soho this autumn
Following its Off-Broadway debut and an Edinburgh Fringe run, Dylan MarcAurele’s musical parody arrives in London with Zheng Xi Yong and Joseph Dann leading the cast.
Fresh from its Off-Broadway premiere and ahead of a run at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Heated Rivality: The Unauthorized Musical Parody will make its London debut at Underbelly Soho from 7 October to 1 November 2026. Written by Dylan MarcAurele and directed by Alan Kliffer, the musical brings a fan-favourite sports romance to the stage through original songs, comedy and theatrical parody.
MarcAurele, whose previous musical Pop Off, Michelangelo! found success at the Edinburgh Fringe before transferring to London, has built a reputation for transforming pop culture into musical comedy. With Heated Rivalry, he turns to the world of professional ice hockey, adapting the relationship between rival players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov into a fast-paced theatrical comedy that combines music, satire and romance.
The production arrives in London having already established momentum in New York, where it received its Off-Broadway premiere earlier this year. Its London engagement follows an Edinburgh Fringe run, continuing a trajectory that has introduced the musical to audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.
Leading the London cast are Zheng Xi Yong, whose recent stage work includes Your Lie in April and American Psycho at the Almeida Theatre, as Shane Hollander, alongside Joseph Dann, making his professional stage debut as Ilya Rozanov. They are joined by Andrew Berlin, Sylvie Stenson and May Tether in a company of five performers.
Direction comes from Alan Kliffer, Artistic Director of Asylum NYC and former inaugural Artistic Director of The Second City New York. The creative team also includes choreographers Brooke Engen and Tiffany Engen, set designer Sully Ross, costume designer Brendan McCann, lighting designer Devin Cameron and sound designer Germán Martinez.
The production marks another musical theatre presentation for Underbelly Soho, whose programme has increasingly combined new writing, cabaret and comedy with contemporary musical theatre. Since opening its permanent Soho venue, Underbelly has continued to champion productions that have developed through festival circuits before finding a wider London audience.
Blending original music with comedy and theatrical parody, Heated Rivalry explores rivalry, romance and fandom through an intentionally playful lens. Rather than aiming for realism, the production embraces exaggeration and musical theatre convention, placing performance and entertainment at the centre of its storytelling.
Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody runs at Underbelly Soho from 7 October to 1 November 2026, with previews from 7–9 October and press night on 13 October. Performances run Tuesday to Friday at 7pm, with additional weekend performances. Tickets start from £25.
Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody
Venue: Underbelly Soho, 6 Walker’s Court, London W1F 0BT
Dates: 7 October – 1 November 2026
Previews: 7–9 October 2026
Running Time: 75 minutes
Age Guidance: 16+
Tickets: From £25
Information and tickets: www.heatedrivalryparody.com
Elena Leo is the Culture & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
