See Jimin Moon’s Shane and Jay Armstrong Johnson’s Ilya at the cottage.

Heated Rivalry musical parody recreates Shane and Ilya’s ‘Boy Aquarium’ in first production photos (exclusive)

See Jimin Moon's Shane and Jay Armstrong Johnson's Ilya at the cottage.

By Nick Romano

Nick Romano

Nick Romano is a senior editor at ** with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in Vanity Fair, Vulture, IGN, and more.

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May 25, 2026 10:00 a.m. ET

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Jay Armstrong Johnson as Ilya and Jimin Moon as Shane in 'Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody'. Credit:

- *Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody* has revealed its first official production photos.

- In them, Jimin Moon and Jay Armstrong Johnson recreate fan-favorite scenes as Shane and Ilya.

- Ryann Redmond, Cherry Torres, and Ryan Duncan portray various other roles in the Off Broadway show, including the three narrators — dubbed the Susans.

Known as the Susans, the three Minnesotan wine-mom narrators of the new Off Broadway *Heated Rivalry* musical parody say what their audience is probably thinking: We won't be getting another season of the hit Canadian romantic drama or another book from author Rachel Reid until 2027.

But that gets to the heart of the new production, running at the Culture Club in New York City's Chelsea district. The show is about keeping the spirit of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov alive, actress Ryann Redmond announces as the chief Susan in its opening number.

Now, ** has an exclusive look at the show's first production photos, which offer a sense of how its stars are doing just that.

Broadway vets Jimin Moon and Jay Armstrong Johnson headline *Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody* as Canadian hockey all-star Shane and Russian dark horse Ilya, respectively. Created by writer and director Dylan MarcAurele and directed by Alan Kliffer, the stage work also features Redmond, Cherry Torres, and Ryan Duncan in various roles. In addition to the Susans and some of Shane's hockey teammates on the Montreal Voyageurs, they portray Ilya's bestie Svetlana, Shane's celebrity beard Rose Landry, smoothie barista Kip, Kip's friend Maria, Ilya's ailing father, and more.

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"This is a love letter, 100 percent," Kliffer tells EW. "We're just trying to meet the entire fandom where they're at."

Preview performances for *Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody *began at the Culture Club on May 12, but its official opening night is tomorrow, May 26. The show will run through Sep. 7.

See the new photos from the riotous parody below.

Jay Armstrong Johnson as Ilya Rozanov and Jimin Moon as Shane Hollander

Jay Armstrong Johnson and Jimin Moon in 'Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody'.

Cherry Torres, Ryann Redmond, and Ryan Duncan as the show’s three Susans

Cherry Torres, Ryann Redmond, and Ryan Duncan in 'Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody'.

Jimin Moon as Shane

Jimin Moon as Shane Hollander in 'Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody'.

Jimin Moon as Shane

Jimin Moon as Shane Hollander in 'Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody'.

Jimin Moon and Jay Armstrong Johnson as Shane and Ilya

Jimin Moon and Jay Armstrong Johnson in 'Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody'.

Jay Armstrong Johnson as Ilya

Jay Armstrong Johnson as Ilya Rozanov in 'Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody'.

Cherry Torres, Ryann Redmond, and Ryan Duncan as the Susans

Cherry Torres, Ryann Redmond, and Ryan Duncan in 'Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody'.

Jimin Moon as Shane

Jimin Moon as Shane Hollander in 'Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody'.

Jimin Moon as Shane

Jimin Moon as Shane Hollander in 'Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody'.

Jay Armstrong Johnson as Ilya

Jay Armstrong Johnson as Ilya Rozanov in 'Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody'.

Cherry Torres as Maria and Ryan Duncan as Kip

Cherry Torres and Ryan Duncan in 'Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody'.

Ryann Redmond as Susan

Ryann Redmond as Susan in 'Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody'.

Ryann Redmond as Rose Landry and Jimin Moon as Shane

Ryann Redmond as Rose Landry, Jimin Moon as Shane Hollander in 'Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody'.

Jimin Moon as Shane and Jay Armstrong Johnson as Ilya

Jimin Moon and Jay Armstrong Johnson in 'Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody'.

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