When she was thirteen, a school excursion to see a touring production of The Phantom of the Opera opened her eyes to the world of musical theatre. As soon as the chandelier lit up and rose to the ceiling, she was completely spellbound. That moment sparked a lifelong appreciation for the arts, further enhanced through fine arts and drama training in high school and CEGEP. Courtney also co-teaches a bilingual Teen Theatre Appreciation and Criticism class at the Ottawa School of Theatre. Originally from Montreal, she now lives in the Ottawa, Canada, area and enjoys attending local professional and community theatre shows, and tries to get to New York and Toronto to see shows whenever she can.
LEARN MORE ABOUT Courtney Castelino
First Show:
The Phantom of the OperaFavorite Show:
HamiltonFavorite Stories:
- Review: HAMILTON at Ottawa's National Arts Centre - When Hamilton first came onto the scene, I wasn't very excited, as I have never been a fan of rap music and, being Canadian, I figured that the storyline would hold little interest for me. When I listened to the original cast recording, I quickly realized that Hamilton was more than just American history set to rap music. The music is a complex fusion of many different genres and the story holds much deeper meaning. After seeing Hamilton on stage, it overtook Phantom as my all-time favourite show (although Phantom still holds a dear place in my heart as my first musical).
- BWW Review: Orpheus' Production of MATILDA THE MUSICAL at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe -
- Review: PRISON DANCER THE MUSICAL at Ottawa's National Arts Centre -
- Review: Orpheus Musical Theatre's NEWSIES at Meridian Theatres at Centrepoint -
- Review: COME FROM AWAY at Ottawa's National Arts Centre -
Review: JAGGED LITTLE PILL At Ottawa's National Arts Centre
May 31, 2023
May 31, 2023
What did our critic think of JAGGED LITTLE PILL at National Arts Centre?
Interview: Justin Scott Brown of JAGGED LITTLE PILL - Coming to Ottawa's National Arts Centre Next Week
May 27, 2023
May 27, 2023
Broadway Across Canada is bringing the highly anticipated, Tony Award-winning Jagged Little Pill to Ottawa next week and I had the opportunity to chat with Justin Scott Brown about the show and his roles in the ensemble and as the understudy for Steve.
Review: QUARTET at Kanata Theatre
May 10, 2023
May 10, 2023
What did our critic think of QUARTET at Kanata Theatre?
Review: TWELVE ANGRY JURORS at Ottawa Little Theatre
May 6, 2023
May 6, 2023
What did our critic think of TWELVE ANGRY JURORS at Ottawa Little Theatre?
GCTC Introduces SUMMER STAGE - An Intensive Summer Theatre Day Camp
April 28, 2023
April 28, 2023
For the aspiring artist in your family, GCTC’s new Summer Stage program is an intensive summer theatre program for youth (ages 6-15). Summer Stage runs as a day camp, 9am to 4pm, Monday through Friday at the theatre (1233 Wellington St. West).
Review: Kemptville Youth Musical Theatre Company Presents MATILDA THE MUSICAL at Kemptville's Urbandale Arts Centre
April 25, 2023
April 25, 2023
What did our critic think of KYMTC'S PRODUCTION OF MATILDA THE MUSICAL at Urbandale Arts Centre?
Review: THE FIRST STONE at Great Canadian Theatre Company
April 16, 2023
April 16, 2023
Great Canadian Theatre Company's production of Donna-Michelle St. Bernard's The First Stone is unlike any other show I have seen presented at GCTC. Thanks to the creative direction (Yvette Nolan), set (Jackie Chau) and projection design (Cam Davis), the show has a very artistic and fluid feel to it, almost like it could be performed in a museum instead of a theatre.
Review: HALFWAY THERE at Ottawa Little Theatre
April 14, 2023
April 14, 2023
What did our critic think of HALFWAY THERE at Ottawa Little Theatre?
Review: Kanata Theatre's Production of HAVING RELATIONS
March 24, 2023
March 24, 2023
A fluffy, lighthearted rom-com that moves at a good pace and is highly entertaining. Running through April 1st at the Ron Maslin Playhouse.
Review: DISNEY'S ALADDIN at Ottawa's National Arts Centre
March 22, 2023
March 22, 2023
Broadway Across Canada has brought the touring production of Disney's Aladdin to Ottawa for the first time as part of its 2022-2023 season. Celebrating its ninth anniversary on Broadway, it was obvious that audiences have been waiting a long time for the musical to visit and there was a sense of excitement in the air. Predictably, the audience was a mixture of all ages since the animated film that inspired the musical was released over thirty years ago, back in 1992.
Interview: Senzel Ahmady of DISNEY'S ALADDIN
March 19, 2023
March 19, 2023
Performing as Jasmine at Ottawa's National Arts Centre from March 21st to 26th as part of Broadway Across Canada's 2022-2023 Season
GCTC Unveils 2023-24 Season and Introduces More Accessible Subscriptions and Ticket Pricing
March 16, 2023
March 16, 2023
Five mainstage productions and additional programming planned
Review: Orpheus Musical Theatre's Production of MEMPHIS in Ottawa
March 12, 2023
March 12, 2023
Outstanding performances, coupled with an inspirational storyline - through March 19th Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe
Review: SENSE AND SENSIBILITY at Ottawa Little Theatre
March 4, 2023
March 4, 2023
Recommended for fans of Regency romance, the show is in performances through March 18th.
Review: ROMEO AND JULIET at Ottawa's National Arts Centre
February 4, 2023
February 4, 2023
What did our critic think of ROMEO AND JULIET at Ottawa's National Arts Centre?
Review: AS YOU LIKE IT: A RADICAL RETELLING at Ottawa's Great Canadian Theatre Company
January 21, 2023
January 21, 2023
What did our critic think of AS YOU LIKE IT: A RADICAL RETELLING at GCTC?
Review: COME FROM AWAY at Ottawa's National Arts Centre
December 28, 2022
December 28, 2022
What did our critic think of COME FROM AWAY at Ottawa's National Arts Centre?
Review: O CHRISTMAS TEA at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe
December 19, 2022
December 19, 2022
What did our critic think of O CHRISTMAS TEA at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe?
Review: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET at Ottawa Little Theatre
December 4, 2022
December 4, 2022
What did our critic think of MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET at Ottawa Little Theatre?
Review: Les Grands Ballets Canadiens' Presentation of THE NUTCRACKER at the National Arts Centre
December 4, 2022
December 4, 2022
What did our critic think of LES GRANDS BALLETS CANADIENS' PRESENTATION OF THE NUTCRACKER AT THE at National Arts Centre?
Videos