Local celebs hit the red carpet to Hell
Bat Out of Hell musical revs up excitement with star power at official opening
A musical set in a dark future fuelled by vintage rock ’n’ roll had its official opening on Wednesday night — with enough noise and dazzle for the city to take notice.
The North American premiere of Bat Out of Hell, infused with the songs of the Meat Loaf classic that debuted 40 years ago this month — as well as its 1993 sequel — had a glitzy red carpet opening at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, with a host of celebrities in attendance.
The night’s ticket-holders posed for selfies on a motorcycle then were greeted at their seats by copies of the Obsidian Times newspaper, to set them up for the show’s futuristic premise. Dated October 2030, it cheekily “celebrates over a decade of Bat Out of Hell in Toronto.”
Among those who walked the red carpet were Toronto Mayor John Tory, Murdoch Mysteries star Yannick Bisson — appropriately dressed in biker leather — Andrea Bang of Kim’s Convenience, Ben Lawson and Paulo Costanzo of Designated Survivor, Lauren Holly of NCIS and Melanie Scrofano of Wynonna Earp.
Tory later tweeted out a photo of himself riding the bike in the lobby, though his pose was unconvincing.
An after-party to celebrate the long-anticipated opening night was planned for the cast and guests at Uniun Nightclub on Adelaide St. W.
The show opened at the Manchester Opera House on Feb. 17 before moving to the London Coliseum, where it played from June 5 to Aug. 22.
Mirvish Productions has extended the musical’s Toronto run from Dec. 3 to 24.