A brilliant upsized production of the 2023 Fringe Festival hit ‘Dancer: A Musical in Ten Furlongs’ opened this week at Toronto’s Queens Quay Terminal Theatre
This very Canadian production about a very legendary Canadian moment in history is produced by Oh What a Ride! Productions Inc. in association with Crow’s Theatre and The Toronto Stage Company.
The 1964 triumph of Northern Dancer at the Kentucky Derby is a thrilling tale of accomplishment, agony, betrayal and pride. E.P. Taylor’s horse was undersized, undisciplined and prone to injury – but it becomes a story of heart.
Other horse-themed plays such as ‘War Horse’ and ‘Equus’ were based on highly creative puppetry and movement. The core of this production is the horse imagery created by inventive choreography by Stacey Tookey. The dancers wear simple beige outfits, and their individual skills create the strength, power, fierceness, and tranquillity of horses born to race.
Highlighting this cast is Keanu Uchida playing Northern Dancer – it is a refined performance. The nuance is perfection – his movement is both twitchy and elegant. In mismatched socks and floppy shorts, he moves easily through leaps of joy and frenetic explosions of anger. He is almost like a grizzled boxer, with his head and shoulders hunched in pain or his chin held high in moments of pride.
The story is housed in the context of the early 1960’s. Canada is navigating a painful transition to independence. Social consciousness is on the rise – racism, women’s rights, economic disparity. It seems like a vast picture, but Jim Betts’ book smoothly blends these nuggets of history and politics into the story.
E.P. Taylor, the tough but charming owner, played whimsically by Tyler Murree, owns a host of fine horses, but he becomes intrigued with an outlier. The smallish, overeager Northern Dancer has more spirit than control – and he is winning races. As he proves himself in Canada and then in the highly competitive United States, Northern Dancer faces political turmoil and human egos.
Injured, he faces speculative surgery which goes surprisingly well. As the story moves toward Churchill Downs, it becomes a David-and-Goliath tale, and the outcome sears Canadian pride.
Led by Uchida, the entire dance company is commended for the disciplined artistry that is required for Stacey Tookey’s ambitious vision. Each dance either roars with energy or is tempered with compassion. What was most exceptional was that each ‘race’ scene was different. At times, they lined up straight; at other times, they ferociously rushed in abandoned circles. With jockeys or without. The audience was kept engaged.
Poignant performances also came from Barbara Barsky as Winnie Taylor, who displayed both a savvy business acumen and compassionate instinct for horses. Sam Rosenthal plays the track announcer with the unique voice that resonates in the highly charged moments of racing.
Marek Norman’s songs charge the story with passion and energy. The opening number ‘Run Dancer’ is compelling and uplifting. ‘You and Me’ is tender and moving.
Some singing needed more vigour – at times, especially near the beginning of a number, the orchestra (excellent as it was) overtook the lyrics.
Video designer, Julia Kim, created visuals that were supportive but not overwhelming. Barn and paddock motifs were mostly black-and-white and subtle. Actual grainy footage of Northern Dancer was, again, understated, making it emotionally effective.
The trainer, Bill Brevard (Sterling Jarvis), sums up much of the story’s energy: ‘outsides don’t measure insides.’ Decades later, Canadians are still proud of Northern Dancer, who raced with a lot of ‘insides.’
‘Dancer’ book and lyrics by Jim Betts, music by Marek Norman
Performers – Keanu Uchida, Barbara Barsky, Sterling Jarvis, Tyler Murree, Kent Sheridan, Sam Rosenthal, and the full company of ‘Dancer.’
Director and Choreographer – Stacey Tookey
Video designer – Julia Kim
Costume designer – Alessia Urbani
Lighting designer – Chris Malkowski
Performances run through November 1, 2026 at Queens Quay Terminal, Third Floor, 207 Queens Quay West, Toronto
