David and Ed Mirvish and The Kimsa Group, in association with Queen Theatrical Productions, Phil McIntyre Entertainment and Tribeca Theatrical Productions, present the international and London sensation of the futuristic, otherworldly musical that's a unique collaboration between Queen and writer-director Ben Elton.
We Will Rock You features 32 of Queen's greatest hits.
Toronto performances begin March 14, 2007. Tickets go on sale Nov. 20. No closing date has been announced.
A search for the Canadian cast is under way. Preliminary auditions for singers and dancers will take place across the country. Open auditions will be held in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver throughout November.
"We have been closely following We Will Rock You's success in London and many other world capitals," stated Canadian producer David Mirvish. "The show is a true phenomenon. Having seen it three times myself and having experienced first-hand the frenzy with which audiences react to the show…" He added, "We are excited to be working with the show's original London producers and creative team, including legendary rockers Brian May and Roger Taylor and the multi-talented writer/director Ben Elton, to build a brand new Canadian production. This show will provide immense opportunities for Canadian artists and a thrilling, energetic and unforgettable night out for audiences."
For information and updates about casting and more, visit www.wewillrockyou.ca.
We Will Rock You opened in London's West End in May 2002. The work has also played Australia, Germany, Spain, Russia, Japan and South Africa. It also played Las Vegas.
We Will Rock You "tells the story of a future Earth where globalization has eliminated all creativity and idiosyncrasy. Set 300 years in the future, everyone watches the same movies, wears the same clothes and thinks the same thoughts. It's a safe and happy 'Ga Ga' world where music is computer-generated by the Killer Queen. All musical instruments are banned. But resistance is growing. A hero is needed. Is the one who calls himself Galileo that man and can he help them break free?"
Produced by Robert De Niro's Tribeca Productions, Queen and Phil McIntyre Entertainment, We Will Rock You "delivers a show that reflects the scale and spectacle that marked Queen's live performances and earned the band its pinnacle position in rock history."
The collaboration between Tribeca and Queen "reaches back to a chance encounter between band members Brian May and Roger Taylor and De Niro at the Venice Film Festival in 1996," according to production notes. "De Niro approached May and Taylor asking if they had ever considered creating a musical based on their work. It was the genesis of the project that was to become We Will Rock You."
Elton is the acclaimed novelist and TV writer who co-created the musical The Beautiful Game with Andrew lloyd Webber. He won an Olivier Award for his play Popcorn, which ran in the West End for two years.
Production designers Mark Fisher and Willie Williams have created set designs for Pink Floyd, Janet Jackson, The Rolling Stones and the acclaimed multi-media shows for U2.
Costume Designer Tim Goodchild received three Olivier Awards for his work at the Royal Shakespeare Company and in London's West End and has extensive credits in theatre including over twenty productions for the New Shakespeare Company.
For choreographer Arlene Phillips, We Will Rock You marks her reunion with the members of Queen, having directed two of Freddie Mercury's most flamboyant performances in the music videos "Made In Heaven" and "Born To Love You."
Her work in the theatre has seen her choreograph some of the biggest stage musicals of the past two decades including Starlight Express, in which she was involved from conception, Grease and Saturday Night Fever.
Bobby Aitken has been the sound designer for numerous theatrical and concert productions world-wide including The Boyfriend, the award-winning musical The Fix, Return to the Forbidden Planet, Grease and co-designed the ABBA musical Mamma Mia!
The score is available on an album called "We Will Rock You: The Music From the Rock Theatrical," on the EMI label.
For ticket information, visit www.mirvish.com.
