Opera and hockey are not two genres I naturally expected to see collide at Fringe. Add parody, romance, and enough innuendo to make the penalty box feel personally attacked, and somehow Heated Ribaldry: An Opera of Musical Proportions (Website) makes a surprisingly convincing case that perhaps they always belonged together.
Just like the hit book series and television show it’s inspired by, rival hockey superstars, Ilya and Shane, begin with fierce on-ice competition that quickly starts drifting into something more complicated. The opening establishes the tone immediately: intense rivalry, dramatic declarations, and a level of vocal enthusiasm that definitely has nothing to do with sports injuries or an overdue glucosamine regimen.
From there, the production fully commits to telling this story through opera. The cast throws themselves into the heightened emotion and theatricality with admirable confidence, and the music becomes part of the comedy rather than existing separately from it. The chorus line deserves particular recognition. One performer in particular repeatedly delivers an old-timey announcer voice that became a running highlight throughout the show. The female performers delivered incredibly strong vocal moments, and overall, the singing was impressively solid across the board. Little touches — like referring to the penalty box as the “sin bin” and joke character names such as “Scott Gathers” — reward audiences willing to lean into the silliness.
The production also layers in visual comedy with a delightfully ridiculous ballet sequence that lovingly spoofs Swan Lake (if I’m citing the wrong ballet, humor me and tell me I’m pretty), which ended up being one of the comedic highlights of the performance.
Heated Ribaldry understands exactly what kind of experience it wants to be and commits completely. Somewhere between soaring vocals, dramatic longing, hockey rivalry, and discovering things about myself I wasn’t prepared to unpack on the drive home, the show delivers a playful, campy celebration of romance and theatrical excess that feels perfectly suited for Fringe. Interested viewers should consider taking a Flintstone vitamin and drinking plenty of water beforehand.
Remaining Performances
- May 23 at 2:55 p.m.
- May 24 at 3:10 p.m.
Event Details
Venue: Orange Venue
Genre: Comedy, LGBT Themes, Musical, Parody/Spoof
Duration: 55 minutes
Price: $15
Age Rating: 18 & Up
Warnings: Adult Language, Mature Themes, Nudity, Sexual Content
