Courtney Castelino

​​​​​​​Giselle may be dubbed 'the ballerina's Hamlet' because of the complexity of the title role, but Tirion Law effortlessly tackles the challenges and uses them to showcase her talent as principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada.

NAC English Theatre presents the Stratford Festival’s production of Salesman in China, written by Canadian playwrights, Leanna Brodie and Jovanni Sy for two weeks only at the National Arts Centre. Arthur Miller’s acclaimed play, Death of a Salesman, was written in 1949. The story is about Willy Loman, a travelling salesman from Brooklyn, and his relationship with his two sons. Despite his optimism, Willy is struggling to live the American Dream: a comfortable existence with a steady income, a nice home, with a wife and kids who have been raised to be successful in their own right.

What did our critic think of QAUMMA at National Arts Centre?

Isn't Ottawa magical at this time of year with all the glistening snow, twinkle lights, and vanishing acts? Yes, you heard that right. Ted and Marion Outerbridge, the duo behind Outerbridge Magic, are getting Ottawa's new year off to a magical start with their Mysteries of the Keyhole House at Ottawa Little Theatre. 

What did our critic think of Broadway Across Canada's Presentation of MJ THE MUSICAL at the National Arts Centre?

What did our critic think of OTTAWA MUSICALS' THE HUMBUG HUSTLE at Great Canadian Theatre Company?

What did our critic think of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: SOLO at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe?

What did our critic think of FLOP! AN IMPROVISED MUSICAL FIASCO at Great Canadian Theatre Company?

What did our critic think of BEAR GREASE at National Arts Centre?

What did our critic think of ON THE FARCE DAY OF CHRISTMAS at Ottawa Little Theatre?

What did our critic think of NAC Dance's Presentation of Les Grands Ballet Canadiens' THE NUTCRACKER?

What did our critic think of THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL at The Gladstone?

What did our critic think of BEOWULF IN AFGHANISTAN at Great Canadian Theatre Company?

What did our critic think of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY at Orpheus Musical Theatre?

Kanata Theatre opened its 56th season this week with Dangerous Liaisons, a steamy historical play set in pre-Revolutionary France, written by Christopher Hampton and directed here by Sarah Hegger. The play is based upon a novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, entitled Les Liaisons Dangereuses, published in 1782. Some audience members may also recall the 1988 film adaptation, featuring an all-star cast, including Glen Close, John Malkovich, and Michelle Pfeiffer. In Hampton’s play, former lovers, La Marquise de Merteuil (Megan LeMarquand) and Le Vicomte de Valmont (Stavros Sakiadis), conspire to conquest, seduce, and even assault individuals they desire or want to use as pawns for revenge against their foes. La Marquise and Le Vicompte treat everyone around them as disposable playthings, without realizing that actions invariably have consequences. With its themes of morality, lust, betrayal, and vengeance, Dangerous Liaisons is unusual in that its primary characters are less sympathetic than its secondary players. The audience feels more compassion for the innocent and naïve Cecile Volanges (Ava Gustine, in her acting debut), the sincerely smitten Presidente de Tourvel (the talented Lindsey Keene), and the foppish Chevalier Danceny (Thomas Jestin) as they are each used, abused, and secretly mocked by their tormentors disguised as concerned friends.

What did our critic think of SNOW IN MIDSUMMER at National Arts Centre?

Arthur Jamison (David McIntyre) wants nothing more than to kill his wife. A criminal attorney by profession, as he obsesses on the couch in his New York City townhouse, he realizes he has a big problem.

Ovation Productions presents one high quality musical theatre show per year in Ottawa. Last year’s presentation of Cabaret was outstanding, and I had high hopes for Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods this year. This production shares its run with Broadway Across Canada’s presentation of Disney's The Lion King. For any other company, this could have been unfortunate timing but, because of the quality of Ovation’s shows, Into the Woods can easily compete.

What did our critic think of DISNEY'S THE LION KING at National Arts Centre?

I had the privilege to speak with Darnell Abraham about his background and his role as Mufasa in the upcoming Broadway Across Canada presentation of Disney’s The Lion King, including some insight into the preparation that goes into such a physical role, favourite scenes, and the timelessness of the musical's themes.