Canadian ballet legends star in musical

Retired ballet dancers Rex Harrington and Evelyn Hart have taken on new styles of dance for a return to the stage in Toronto.

Harrington, the former principal dancer at the National Ballet of Canada, and Hart, the long-serving prima ballerina with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, are starring in Song and Dance, an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical opening Tuesday at the Danforth Music Hall.

Harrington told CBC News that the show's mix of jazz, pop, tap, and modern dance and light classical ballet is perfect for this new phase of his career, even if some find it strange seeing a ballet dancer perform in a musical.

"My only fear is knowing that the critics love to take a swipe at you, and I'm ready for that," said Harrington, who last year performed in a smaller musical that was well received.

"But I think I've been a person who is first and foremost an entertainer and not just a classical dancer, and people know me as that."

Hart says she's ready for the challenge, too.

"I've never been a ballet snob," she said. "I just think dance is dance and really it's much more about loving to dance."

Song and Dance runs until May 28.