Ottawa Little Theatre continues to march through its second century of presenting outstanding live theatre with the 103rd season!
OLT’s 2015/16 edition strikes a balance between the tradition of timeless classics and exciting new works. The selection this year spans seven decades from as early as 1941 in Blithe Spirit, to as recent as 2009 in God of Carnage. The sum total is a season that will delight, entertain, and challenge.
Subscription prices in 2015/16 will not change. At $140 the Classic Subscription offers some of the best value in the city, and includes the first eight plays. OLT will again offer the Classic Plus Subscription which also includes the summer show. By audience demand, Custom Subscriptions can be redeemed earlier this year – starting June 1.
Subscriptions Sales will open on Monday March 23, 2015. Season brochures will be mailed within the next three weeks.
Blithe Spirit
by Noel Coward
Comedy
Sept. 15 – Oct. 3, 2015
Matinee: Sept. 27
The brilliant Sir Noel’s funniest and most farcical comedy! After a séance goes awry, the spirit of Charles Condomine’s first wife Elvira returns to haunt him with designs on reclaiming her husband – much to the chagrin of his new wife. If he wants his latest marriage to stand a ghost of a chance, Charles had better conjure up a solution quickly!
Flare Path
by Terrence Rattigan
Drama
Oct. 27 – Nov. 14, 2015
Matinee: Nov. 8
At the Falcon Hotel on the Lincolnshire coast, brave men from a nearby RAF airbase are on furlough for a much-anticipated weekend with their wives. Unfortunately, Lt. Teddy Graham’s wife Patricia has not arrived unencumbered. Peter Kyle, a Hollywood film star and Patricia’s rekindled flame is also a guest.
“…A three-handkerchief weepie that somehow manages to be both profoundly moving and wonderfully funny.” – The Telegraph
A Christmas Story
adapted by Philip Grecian from stories and film by Jean Shepherd
Comedy
Dec. 1 – 19, 2015
Matinee: Dec. 13 and 19
One boy. One holiday wish. And the grown-ups who conspire to make certain it doesn’t come true. The Christmas cult-classic based on the hit movie bursts onto the OLT stage in all its glowing-leg-lamp, wet-tongue-on-metal, pink-bunny-suit, “you’ll-shoot-your-eye-out” glory! Holiday hilarity for the entire family.
Play based upon A Christmas Story © 1983 Turner Entertainment Co., distributed by Warner Bros., written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark and In God we Trust, All Others pay Cash by Jean Shepherd.
The Murder Room
by Jack Sharkey
Mystery Farce
January 12-30, 2016
Matinee: Jan. 24
“If Monty Python asked Agatha Christie to commission Noel Coward to write a vehicle for Abbott and Costello, you’d have The Murder Room.” – Theatre Mirror
In this uproarious take-off of the lock-room murder genre, Mavis and her lover plan to rub out her wealthy husband, and seem to have succeeded all too easily, but have they?
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
By Dale Wasserman based on book by Ken Kesey
Drama
Feb. 23 – March 12, 2016
Matinee: Mar. 6
Randle Patrick McMurphy is a larger-than-life, fun-loving, charismatic rogue who figures his short prison sentence will be cushier if he contrives to spend it in the loony bin. His attempts to disrupt the strict regimens, and introduce spontaneity and free-will to his fellow patients, put him in direct conflict with the indomitable Nurse Ratchet.
Warning: Mature language and content
Calendar Girls
by Tom Firth
Comedy
March 29 – April 16, 2016
Matinee: Apr. 10
Based on the true story of how members of a Women’s Institute came up with a unique fundraising idea: a cheeky nude calendar featuring themselves in all their middle-aged glory. When the story goes “viral”, coping with the ensuing media frenzy proves even more challenging than shedding clothes. A glorious comedy-drama about female friendship.
“Dazzlingly funny, shamelessly sentimental, and utterly captivating” -Spectator
The Mouse House
by Robert Ainsworth
Thriller
May 3-21, 2016
Matinee: May 15
Best-selling author Carson decides to return to the solitude of his remote family cottage to complete his latest book. No phone, no distractions and total isolation from the outside world. When an intruder is overpowered and restrained by Carson, the ensuing battle of wit and will between two very different individuals has enough surprises to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Warning: Mature language and content
God of Carnage
by Yasmina Reza
Comedy Drama
June 7 – 25, 2016
Matinee: June 19
A comedy of manners … Without the manners.
Benjamin and Henry have had a playground brawl. Their parents are meeting for cheesecake and a civil discussion of the incident. At least that’s the plan.
“Delivers the cathartic release of watching other people’s marriages go boom” – New York Times
2009 Tony Award winner for Best Play.
Warning: Mature language and content
Barefoot in the Park
By Neil Simon
Comedy
July 12 – 30, 2016
Matinee: July 24
Neil Simon at his comedic best!
He’s a straight-as-an-arrow lawyer and she’s a free spirit always looking for the latest adventure. Newly married and installed in their top floor walk-up, which he sees as impractical and she sees as a charming fixer-upper, they’re starting to realize that love may not be enough to overcome all. Then there’s her morose mother, the eccentric neighbour, and the broken skylight.
“A bubbling rib-tickling comedy” – New York Times