The musical is directed by Tony Award winner Len Cariou, with book, music and lyrics by David Warrack.
George Masswohl stars in the title role with Stephanie Roth as his wife Mary, and David Dunbar as Rob Roy's nemesis, the Duke of Montrose.
Toronto performances play March 24-April 19, 2009, opening March 26. Tickets go on sale Dec. 20. The Chicago engagement plays the Arie Crown Theater Feb. 3-March 15, 2009.
According to the producers, "Rob Roy The Musical celebrates the adventures of one of the best known heroes in Scottish history. Set in Scotland and England during the first half of the 18th century, Rob Roy The Musical tells the tale of the famous Highlander from his days as a peaceful clan leader through his difficulties with the abrasive Duke of Montrose. Rob Roy MacGregor is branded as an outlaw due to a business transaction which bore all the signs of a set-up. This all took place at a pivotal time in Scottish history, when the Scots hoped to finally break free from England and follow what they believed was their true destiny. Rob Roy in his flight from the law was captured many times yet always managed to escape thus becoming a hero to the Scots."
The creative team includes choreographer Phillip Hughes, fight director Mark Harapiak, set and props designer Yannik Larivée, lighting designer Renée Brode, sound designer Peter McBoyle. The production features costumes based on original designs by Susan Benson. Rob Roy The Musical began its life as a 90-minute production at the 2006 Edinburgh Fringe Festival featuring a cast of 12 with six musicians. It received solid reviews. This expanded new production features a cast of 24 and an orchestra of 12 musicians.
Director Cariou is best known for his Broadway performances in Sweeney Todd (for which he won a Tony Award), A Little Night Music and Applause, among others. In Canada, he performed at the Stratford Festival and directed at the Citadel Theatre. He was artistic director of the Manitoba Theatre Centre 1975-76, and associate artistic director to Michael Langham at the Guthrie Theatre. His most recent Canadian directorial credit was Glengarry Glen Ross for MTC's 50th anniversary season. Most recently, he played Richard Nixon in the Vancouver Playhouse/Canadian Stage production of Frost/Nixon.
Composer-lyricist-librettist Warrack has produced nearly 60 musicals and plays over the past 32 years. Warrack has written or collaborated on 71 professionally produced musicals. He is a three-time Dora Award winner.
Rob Roy The Musical is produced by Prydwyn Productions Ltd, a new theatre production company founded by co-producers Bernard Abrams and David Warrack.
Abrams' producing credits include Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life, the original Broadway production of Dr Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Executive producers for Rob Roy The Musical are Bernadine and Hugh Cameron, with Mitchell Schmieding serving as associate producer in Chicago.
For more information visitwww.robroythemusical.com.
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In Toronto, tickets to Rob Roy The Musical are $52-$72 during previews, and $62-$82 for regular performances.
Special family pricing, the "Clan Pack," offers four tickets for $140 for previews, and $180 for regular performances (some restrictions apply).
Tickets go on sale Dec. 20 at 10 AM and are available by calling TicketMaster at (416) 872-5555 or www.ticketmaster.ca.
