Olivia Newton-John in SCORE: A HOCKEY MUSICAL

Toronto and hockey......a match made in maple leaf heaven. Add music and icon Olivia Newton-John to the mix and you've got the ingredients for a fun and campy film delight. Well, that delightful concoction, the first hockey musical that I've ever heard tell of, will be the Opening Night Gala for the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

The Festival hosts the world premiere of SCORE: A HOCKEY MUSICAL by Canadian writer/director Michael McGowan. The film stars 1970s icon Olivia Newton-John (GREASE), singer/songwriter Marc Jordan, newcomers Noah Reid and Allie MacDonald, and cameos from a who's who of Canadian music, broadcast and hockey stars. The film features 19 original songs with lyrics written by McGowan, and featuring music from Barenaked Ladies, Olivia Newton-John, Amy Sky and Marc Jordan, and five songs on which Hawksley Workman contributed.

SCORE tells the tale of seventeen-year old Farley who has led a sheltered life. Much to his parents’ chagrin, Farley loves to play shinny with the local rink rats. To their even greater dismay, Farley is signed to a hockey league, where he achieves instant stardom, throwing him into a world of hype. Farley soon finds that hockey fame comes with a price.

The 2010 Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 9 to 19 in its new downtown digs on Queen Street and King Street West. For more information, log on to: www.tiff.net

Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Dailies Editor