Invest In
Welcome!
"Believe the hype, it really is that good"
Toronto Star
Thank you for your interest in
The Future Of Dancer!
We invite you to join the Team
exploring Development and Production opportunities
in NYC, in Canada and Internationally.
We are welcoming investment in the Development of
Dancer (A Musical In Ten Furlongs) –
our unique, unforgettable musical about
the “horse no one believed in” –
the too-small, too-ungainly, too-willful thoroughbred
who overcame doubt, injury and history
to become the first Canadian-bred horse
to win the Kentucky Derby.
Northern Dancer.
We have interest in the show from around the US –
including the Off-Broadway York Theatre Company,
The Actors’ Theatre of Louisville
and even Churchill Downs itself!
(Home of Northern Dancer’s historic 1964 victory in
The Kentucky Derby.)
We are in conversations in Canada
with a variety of Regional and Commercial Theatres –
including companies in Toronto, Charlottetown, Edmonton,
Winnipeg, Calgary and Ottawa.
Our plan for the next step in the show’s Development
is a full 4-week workshop in NYC,
culminating in 3 performances for an invited audience.
Oh What A Ride! Productions Inc.
is committed to raising
$500,000
to support Dancer’s
continuing development.
**All investment in this Development Funds offer
will automatically be converted into an equity investment
– and at a preferred rate of return –
in a future Commercial Production.
Supporters have the Option to:
1 – invest in the show’s development in CAN$
through this formal Agreement;
2 – invest in the show’s development in US$
through a similar Agreement registered in New York City
[details available upon request].
Important Things To Be Aware Of:
This is a High Risk investment, and it is highly unlikely that there will be any return on this investment until a Commercial Production results from this Development phase. No one should invest unless they are fully prepared to receive no return on this investment. [See “4” In The Documents Below]
There are “Canadian Securities Laws” that govern who is eligible to invest in this Offering. [See “3” In The Documents Below]
We anticipate that most of our investors will fall under “Schedule B – “family, friends and business associates”. [See “Schedule B” In The Documents Below]
Investors should consult their own Accountants or Legal Counsel about any resulting Tax Consequences. [See “6” In The Documents Below]
Your Investment & Return
Subscription Price
$25,000 per Unit
Every $25,000 invested in this Development Fund will be converted into an equity investment in a future Commercial Production of The Show, plus it will earn an additional 20% bonus from the profits of that Commercial Production. (In Broadway Commercial Theatre lingo, this is referred to as a “1-for-5” deal. [See “2.(b)” In The Documents Below]. That is – for every $100 of future profits you would earn from your share of the Investor Pool, you would earn an additional $20 from the Producer’s Share.
Every $25,000 unit purchased before Sept. 15, 2024 will earn an additional 5% over units purchased after Sept. 15, 2024 – for a total Bonus of 25% (or a “1-for-4” deal).
Any single purchase of 4 Units ($100,000) will earn a 33% bonus from the profits of a future Commercial Production (or a “1-for-3” deal).
The General Partner may help facilitate the Collective Purchase of 1 Unit among a pool of interested purchasers.
PLEASE NOTE: We plan to offer 4 Units to be divided among the donors who funded the 2023 Toronto Fringe Production.
For More Information
or
To Become A Dancer Investor
Contact
Jim Betts (416 529-5910)
jimbetts@dancerthemusical.ca
or
Kate Barris (416 712-0241)
katebarris@dancerthemusical.ca
Watch a Race!
Read Our Article
In The Churchill Downs Magazine
More Background
The Show
Dancer (A Musical In Ten Furlongs) was the winner of the 2023 Adams Prize For Musical Theatre, and this powerful, universal story had its World Premiere at The Al Green Theatre, as part of the 2023 Toronto Fringe Festival, July 5-16.
Dancer (A Musical In Ten Furlongs) tells the classic tale of “the little guy who defies all expectations”, and who overcomes all obstacles to earn a place in horse racing history. But this is not just any ordinary “little guy”, this is Northern Dancer, the “horse no one believed in” – the too-small, too-ungainly, too-willful thoroughbred who overcame doubt, injury and history to become the first Canadian-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby.
Dancer won that Derby in 1964, setting a track record, and then went on to become the most successful sire in thoroughbred racing history. In fact, in 2020, 77% of all the world’s thoroughbreds were descendants of Northern Dancer.
Not only does Dancer tell a unique story, it tells that story with a unique theatricality. There literally has never been a musical like this one – where the lead character never speaks or sings, communicating only through movement and dance.
Taking inspiration from his name, Northern Dancer, and all the other horses in his story, are played by dancers, as dancers. Unlike Equus or War Horse, our dancers simply become horses, using their natural grace and athleticism, and without the use of special headdresses, puppetry or costuming.
The Development Path
2010 – Marek Norman and Jim Betts begin researching and writing
2011 – First Workshop/Showcase (at the National Ballet Rehearsal Hall)
2011-15 – a series of new script drafts explored at table readings & workshops
2016 – Invited Audience Showcase at Elgin/Winter Garden
2016-23 – yet another series of new drafts of the script
2023 – the script wins 2023 Adams Prize For Musical Theatre
2023 – Sold-Out run at the 2023 Toronto Fringe Festival
2023 – Critics’ Pick of the Toronto Fringe Festival
2023 – Nominated for 9 Broadway World Toronto Awards, winner Best Choreography for a Play or Musical
2024 – Joey Monda, Sing Out Louise! Productions, joins as Executive Producer
– Derrick Chua joins the team as Canadian Counsel
– Dan Haley of Haley Law Group joins the team as Production Counsel
Our Team
Marek Norman - Music
Jim Betts - Book & Lyrics
Stacey Tookey - Director/Choreographer
Mark Camilleri - Musical Director
Astrid Janson - Designer
Keanu Uchida - DANCER
Sterling Jarvis - BREVARD
Gene Gabriel - THE GRAND SÉNOR
Sam Rosenthal - DARYL
Barbara Barsky - WINNIE
Artem Tikhonenko - Dance Company
Louise Camilleri - Hoofbeat
Anna Marchisello - Associate Choreographer/Director
Jonathan Cullen - Hoofbeat
Emily Masurkevitch - Hoofbeat
Kate Barris - Lead Producer
Tom Diamond - Director Mentor
Joey Monda - Executive Producer
Nona Macdonald Heaslip - Supporter Emerita
Joe Rosenthal - Inspiration Emeritus
...and more to come...
The Official Documents
Oh What A Ride!
Front Money Development Agreement
June 15, 2024
Side Letter
for $25,000 Investment
August, 2024
LISTEN TO SONGS FROM DANCER
Have a listen to tracks from Dancer the Musical at the Toronto Fringe 2023
Thanks to Marek Norman & David Bradstreet