A new musical about Rob Ford, the embattled but endlessly entertaining Mayor of Toronto, is set to open in Toronto on September 16 and run through September 28.
Rob Ford the Musical: Birth of A Ford Nation stars newcomer Sheldon Bergstrom, a Canadian actor who physically resembles Ford. Bergstrom beat out almost 100 contenders for the role, including (reports Yahoo! News) one who is "starring on Broadway."
The 90-minute show includes 10 original songs and follows Ford through the past year of his life, which has included an admission that he smoked crack in a "drunken stupor," viral videos of out-of-control behavior and a stint in rehab.
The 42-year-old Bergstrom, who has also appeared in regional productions of Shrek and It's a Wonderful Life among other shows, told the Moose Jaw Times Herald: "It's a dream come true…I'm passionate about this. I'm fascinated by Rob Ford and he's kind of a Shakespearian cartoony-like character unlike we've ever seen before and to get to play him is such a treat. I felt like it was the perfect role for me."
Producers hope for a successful run and a transfer to Off-Broadway, provided Ford wins re-election. Said writer Brett McCaig, "The story dies if Rob doesn't get voted back in. If Rob gets voted back in, I think we've got legs for a continued run, for sure."
Ford's political legs may not be too steady, though. After two months in rehab, he returned to work at the end of June, but with his mayoral powers cut back by a disapproving City Council.
Ford does appear to be making a serious effort to clean up his act and get back to work. Told about Rob Ford the Musical, a spokeswoman for the mayor repeated a response Ford has been using when confronted with questions about his behavior: "This is not news." Improving the Toronto light-rail system, for example, has been more top-of-mind for the mayor.
Still, the locals continue to poke fun at Ford's shenanigans and make cultural hay of his ongoing saga. A balloon company launched a bobblehead doll of the mayor 31 kilometers into the atmosphere back in June. "He's known for being quite high and we thought, let's put him higher than he's ever been," said Meghan Collins of Cooperative Exploration.
And back in November 2013 "The Rob Ford Aria," based on music from Bizet's Carmen and written and arranged by Topher Mokrzewski, resident conductor with the Calgary Opera, was recorded by CBCradio.
