Rex Harrington hurt on opening night of musical

Rex Harrington injured his Achilles tendon during the opening night performance Tuesday of Toronto musical Song and Dance.

Show director and co-producer Trudy Moffatt confirmed Wednesday that Harrington is unable to dance and the show will go on with a substitute.

The substitute is Robert Campanella, a former soloist with the National Ballet and a renowned choreographer, who wasavailable to leap into the role.

Harrington was injured during a leap in the second act of the show, which he is headlining with another former ballet star, Evelyn Hart, and singer Louise Pitre.

He appeared to be in pain as he left the stage. It is not yet known what treatment will be needed or how long it will take for him to recover, Moffatt said.

Campanella, who was nominated for a Gemini for his role in the Moze Mossanen film The Year of the Lion,has also collaborated with figure skater Kurt Browning.

The Wednesday matinee of the show was cancelled while Campanella rehearses with thecast, including Hart. Canadian dancer Eric Robertson had been trained as an understudy for Harrington, but instead will remain as one of the six ensemble dancers.

The show was to go ahead Wednesday evening, said producer Glyn Laverick. "Everyone has been working hard to bringRobert up to speed,"he said.

Harrington, who did not go to hospital with the injury,came in to watch the rehearsal, Laverick said. "He's in pretty good spirits, all things considered," Laverick said. "We're hoping he's going to recover and we'll know more when he's seen a specialist."

Song and Dance, an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, is playing at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto. The show includes a series of modern dance variations to jazz, pop and other musical styles.

The Toronto Star's Richard Ouzounian gave the show a poor review, saying it "wasted several major talents."

Harrington is retired from the National Ballet and had said the musical would be perfect for this new phase of his career. Hart is retired from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.