10-08-26
Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody is getting an original cast album, with the recording set for release on 18 September 2026.
The album will feature the original Off-Broadway company, led by Jay Armstrong Johnson as Ilya Rozanov and Jimin Moon as Shane Hollander. Fans don't have to wait until September for their first taste of the recording, with “Gym Song” released as the first single from the album alongside a new music video.
Inspired by the hit hockey romance, Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody takes Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov's rivalry and relationship and gives it a decidedly tongue-in-cheek musical makeover. The production follows “starry-eyed golden boy” Shane on his journey from, in the show's own words, “power center to power bottom”, with a pop-inspired score and appearances from characters including Rose Landry and, yes, Ilya's Ass.
Alongside Armstrong Johnson and Moon, the cast album features Ryann Redmond, Cherry Torres, Ryan Duncan, Shelby Acosta and Daniel Brackett.
The recording is produced by Lloyd Kikoler and co-produced by Dylan MarcAurele and Mateo Chavez Lewis, with Alan Kliffer, Christian Palomares and Sean Nyberg serving as executive producers. It will be released by Center Stage Records.
The album follows the success of the parody's Off-Broadway production, which was originally scheduled to run for eight weeks but has since been extended twice. It is now playing at The Culture Club in New York until 1 November 2026, while subsequent productions of the parody are also running in Canada and the UK.
Dylan MarcAurele provides the book, music, lyrics and orchestrations for the show, which is directed by Alan Kliffer and choreographed by Brooke and Tiffany Engen. The creative team also includes Mateo Chavez Lewis as music director, Sully Ross on scenic design, Brendan McCann on costume design, Devin Cameron on lighting design, Germán Martinez on sound design and Ann James as intimacy coordinator and sensitivity specialist.
There are also changes ahead for the Off-Broadway company. Aaron Alcaraz will take over as Shane Hollander from 13 to 30 August, while Shelby Acosta assumes the role of Shane's Mom & Others from 10 September following Cherry Torres' final performance on 9 September. Sujaya Sunkara has also joined the company as understudy for Main Susan, Shane's Mom and Ilya's Dad.
“Gym Song” from Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody is available now, with the complete original cast album released on 18 September 2026.
