On Feb. 3 Prydwyn Productions announced that the Canadian premiere of Rob Roy The Musical would not play Toronto's Elgin Theatre March 24-April 19. New engagement dates "are not yet available."
"Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to restructure our financing quickly enough to replace what we lost amidst the massive downturn in the economy," stated co-producer David Warrack, who also wrote the book, music and lyrics. "We are confident that we will be able to announce our revised schedule within the next few weeks."
Ticket holders may return purchased tickets at the point of purchase.
Tony Award winner Len Cariou was slated to direct. The Chicago engagement at the Arie Crown Theatre was to begin Feb. 3. That run was quietly canceled in recent weeks.
George Masswohl was to star in the title role with Stephanie Roth as his wife Mary, and David Dunbar as Rob Roy's nemesis, the Duke of Montrose. 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. This expanded new production was to feature a cast of 24 and an orchestra of 12 musicians.
The creative team was scheduled to include choreographer Phillip Hughes, fight director Mark Harapiak, set and props designer Yannik Larivée, lighting designer Renée Brode and sound designer Peter McBoyle with costumes based on original designs by Susan Benson.
"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," according to the producers. "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."
Visit robroythemusical.ca.
