Actors, publicists, businessmen and politicos -- even a few journalists -- were on hand at the Princess of Wales Theatre yesterday for the official announcement that Toronto will host the world premiere of a Shaun McKenna musical stage adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. It was not exactly a well-kept secret.

Impresarios David Mirvish and Michael Cohl, the creators of the $27-million musical, said it is slated to begin previews next February.

They offered a song or two and a few brief glimpses into what audiences might expect when the adaptation of the Tolkien trilogy opens at the Princess of Wales.

Brief glimpses

Mirvish and Cohl stood on a darkened stage that, moments earlier, had showcased the theatrical version of one of Tolkien's ominous Black Riders to make the announcement.

The difference, according to the wise-cracking Cohl, between Lord Of The Rings and basketball great Vince Carter is simple: "The Lord of the Rings recognizes that Toronto is a great city and wants to play here for many years to come," Cohl said to enthusiastic applause.

Officials represented all three levels of government. Toronto Mayor David Miller backed up Tourism Toronto's pledge of $3 million in marketing support for what has been touted as the most expensive musical in history.

Tourism Toronto said yesterday the project is the largest initiative it has ever undertaken.

An additional loan of $3 million has been arranged through the province for the work, a presentation of Kevin Wallace and Saul Zaentz in association with the Mirvish organization and Cohl.

According to Wallace, the play will run exclusively in Toronto for at least nine months, with a production planned for London late next year.

Sen. Jerry Grafstein, who worked with Cohl on the Rolling Stones' SARS Relief Concert in 2003, pledged to do his best to get federal funding for the project, too.

"This is all about jobs," Grafstein said, to more applause from a room filled with theatre and business people still trying to recover from the combined effect of SARS and a rising Canadian dollar.

British producer Wallace introduced his creative team -- director Matthew Warchus, designer Rob Howell and musical supervisor Christopher Nightingale.

India's A.R. Rahman and members of Finland's Varttina, a contemporary musical group, performed some of the music they have composed for the score, backed by members of Toronto's own Nathaniel Dett Chorale.

More music

As for the concept for the show: Expect the unexpected, said Warchus.

"It's not a musical in any way you understand, but there's more music in it than perhaps any show you will ever see," he said, citing influences as diverse as those of Peter Hall, Robert Lepage and Cirque du Soleil.

Cross-Canada casting for the work will begin immediately, with rehearsals slated to begin here on Oct. 24.

The first preview performance is Feb. 2, with a gala opening slated for March 23 next year.