Greetings everyone,
Happy Spring.
It certainly was a long, cold winter, but isn’t it always? Yes, but the warmer weather is finally here and we sure deserve it! I recall the line of dialogue from Kimberly Akimbo at the start of the play where it’s snowing outside and the dad Buddy says to Kimberly “Hey Kimmy! How crazy is this?! Can you believe it’s April?! Maybe tomorrow’ll be a snow day! Look at it coming down.”
The whole audience laughed out loud as we were all experiencing what he was commenting on.
It’s been five months since I last wrote you in December. Let’s talk about our beloved theatre. We have had a superb start to our 113th season at the OLT. Permit me a moment to fill you in on what’s going on.
The Season to Date
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
We decided to start off the season with a blockbuster, our annual Agatha Christie entry The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. I won’t be humble here; we knocked this one out of the park. Not only did we add an additional 15th show, but more than half of the performances were completely sold out.
Long-time OLT director Greg Hancock, who is usually associated with comedy, found enough humorous elements in this Detective Hercule Poirot entry to keep us not only guessing but laughing. A huge cast along with a stunning two-level set entertained the audience during the extended run.
One very interesting tidbit is that since the theatre was founded in 1913, we have put on 15 of Dame Agatha’s plays, many multiple times for a total of 41 productions. Yet The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was a first as Christie’s novel was only adapted in 2023! Going forward, all future productions of this play will be compared to our 2026 entry.
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- Photos by Maria Vartanova
Kimberly Akimbo
Next up was our edgy comedy entry Kimberly Akimbo by David Lindsay-Abaire (Ripcord). This was the original play which was later made into a Tony Award winning musical, and it took everyone by pleasant surprise. It was hilarious and touching at the same time. There were a lot of misty eyes both at intermission and at the conclusion.
First time director (but long-time alumna) Chelsey Prince transported us back to the 1990s with the set and costumes. Who can forget the kitchen scene where the walls kept moving out of reach of Kimberly’s drunken father. The play had a small but perfect cast, each actor fitting their role like a fine glove. Yes, we can do new and avant-garde plays and will certainly offer similar fare in the future.
What I am now enjoying while driving is the Broadway musical on Spotify and recalling our play along with the song lyrics. It’s a great way to revisit our wonderful production.
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- Photos by Maria Vartanova
The Birds and the Bees
Currently on stage is our third play this season, The Birds and the Bees. It’s a truly hilarious comedy about relationships and the birds and the bees – well more specifically turkeys and bees. Some may say this is a euphemism for sex; well there some of that, but it’s really about turkeys and bees.
I don’t want to reveal too much but long-time director Barbara Kobolak has assembled a brilliant cast for this laugh-out-loud and touching Canadian comedy set in a farm in southwestern Ontario. The set is the upstairs interior of a farmhouse and you really feel like you are there.
I can’t help thinking of six degrees of separation when watching this great cast. Sarah Aaron (Sarah) acted together with Ian Stauffer (Earl) in last year’s Jonas and Barry in the Home written by Norm Foster. Kim Strauss (Gail) starred in the two-hander On a First Name Basis written by Norm Foster. Barbara Kobolak also directed Mending Fences written by Norm Foster. Finally, Steven Dworkin (Ben) was cast in Stag and Doe which was written by The Birds and the Bees playwright Mark Crawford. I am sure there are other connections that I missed.
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- Photos by Maria Vartanova
Theatre Improvements
Security Gate
After two long years of planning and applying to the city for a building permit, the security gate at the King Edward emergency exit is set to be installed in May. The purpose is to stop individuals from loitering on the stoop thus obstructing the emergency doors. This will also reduce litter around that area.
Once again, we will continue engaging our security firm CANSPC which not only offers our patrons a sense of safety on show nights but provides a friendly hello and smile while opening the doors.
Improved Parking Lots
Parking is available on the street and as always at the parking lot behind the theatre, Recognising it is sometimes a challenge to find a spot we are pleased to share with you the news that there are two additional parking lots available – one which is actually right next to the theatre and offering improved evening parking.
The JPark indoor lot beside OLT on King Edward is now fully automated. On arrival, you insert your payment card and are provided with a code that opens the security gate. There is an additional door and draw gate going up and downstairs. The facilities are well lit, clean and secure. After the show, you return by the side door using the code you received. The instructions are self explanatory on the screen but you can reach out to JPark for more information.
In addition there is another relatively new Indigo lot under the Metro Grocery store on the opposite side of Rideau Street. Access to the parking lot is from the back on George Street between King Edward and Cumberland.
Please note that none of these lots are affiliated with the OLT and operate as independent businesses.
Temperature in the House
There’s an age-old expression that San Francisco is the only place where you can experience all four seasons in one day. It’s actually not true as we have a similar issue in Ottawa and unfortunately during the changes in season (Winter to Spring and Fall to Winter) we have trouble regulating the temperature in the House for optimal comfort. We apologize but unfortunately there is very little we can do. The switchover cannot be done at a moment’s notice and, as you can imagine, decreasing the temperature of a 387-seat house takes hours. We do our best, but during April and May where daily temperatures can fluctuate by as much as 20 degrees, we may experience evenings where it is a little warm at the OLT. Once again we apologize in advance.
Bank Fraud Closure
I’m pleased to state that we can now close the chapter on this incident. To recap, back in September 2025 the OLT was the victim of bank fraud where some of the payments for subscriptions made by Interac e-transfer were diverted to an outside account.
Throughout our thorough analysis we were in contact with those patrons affected and we wish to thank them for their support in working with us.
There were relatively few individuals affected and the insurance company has reimbursed us for our losses.
Going forward we have worked with our bank to ensure that their Interac system has stricter rules. We are also investigating the potential need of cyberinsurance which is becoming more fashionable in this digital age.
Promotion and Publicity
As always we are so grateful to the generous support we get from our sponsors:
If you are interested in what services they provide, you can click on the links listed above.
In addition, every year we love to help out our fellow neighbourhood businesses with joint promotions. For The Birds and the Bees, we are thrilled to be working with GeeBees Honey on Sussex with discounts and a theatre gift basket draw. Check them out at www.geebees.ca
Dinner/Brunch at the Albion Rooms and a Show at the OLT
We are excited to reintroduce OLT’s night out dinner and a show with The Albion Rooms. Back for another season! OLT exclusive offer – SAVE 15% off your food bill!
Before being entertained by the hilarious Canadian comedy The Birds and the Bees, why not enjoy a delicious bite at this iconic Sandy Hill restaurant? If you are in by 5:30 p.m. they guarantee that you will be out by 7:00 p.m., with enough time for the 8-minute walk to the theatre and time to preorder your intermission drink. Visit The Albion Rooms for brunch before an OLT Sunday matinee or a post show dinner. SHOW YOUR SAME DAY THEATRE TICKET TO SAVE 15% ON YOUR FOOD BILL! Excludes beverages and gratuities.
Merchandise
The launch of the new 2026 merchandise was a resounding success. The hats, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and mugs were flying off the shelf with some items selling out. Fret not, we will be bringing them back for sale during the run of Pressure.
Paid Previews
As a way to help other organizations raise much needed funds for their causes, we open our theatre for what we call Paid Previews. On the weekend prior to opening night, we offer a performance free of charge to a charitable organization where they can invite their guests to a preview of the upcoming show. This provides an opportunity for cast and crew to perform in front a live audience and the firm gets to raise funds. A win win for all.
If you have an organization that is interested in participating in this program, please have them contact me at president@ottawalittletheatre.com
Although many shows are already spoken for through our regular charities, we always have openings each season. They do fill up rather quickly though.
Cornerstone Nominations
At the Ottawa Little Theatre (OLT) we are proud that we are truly a community theatre run by hundreds of volunteers a year. We have several ways to recognize the time, talent, and dedication of these volunteers up to and including illustrious Cornerstone.
As part of its 100th Season Celebrations in 2012-13, the OLT introduced the Cornerstone to recognize and acknowledge the contribution made by select volunteers who have gone above and beyond to make the OLT the thriving community organization that it is today; they are the human cornerstones of the theatre.
The first ten volunteers were inducted into the Cornerstone in 2013, as part of the final event of OLT’s 100th Season. Nominees are people who have made an extraordinary contribution over a very long period, typically at least 20 years.
Last year’s recipients were Glynis Ellens, Joan Sullivan Eady, Mitzi Fancott Hauser, Bob Hicks. The write ups for all of the exceptional recipients can be found at https://www.ottawalittletheatre.com/cornerstone-inductees/.
Do you know an OLT volunteer who deserves to be honoured this year? Have they consistently made an exceptional contribution to our theatre? If so, please use the nomination form to let us know. Maybe you will see their name on the lobby wall in 2027!
The nomination form can be found at https://www.ottawalittletheatre.com/cornerstone-inductees/.
Nominations for 2026 may be submitted to: president@ottawalittletheatre.com by July 17 2026
Doors Open Ottawa 2026
Once again this year the OLT will participate in Doors Open Ottawa on Saturday, June 6. The theatre will be open and guided tours will be provided to our visitors. This is an exciting opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes, on stage, in the wardrobe department, props room, rehearsal studio and workshop. What exactly is a Green Room and why is it called that? Many visitors were so impressed with what the theatre had to offer that following the tours, they signed up to become volunteers to work on some of our productions.
Save the Date: Wardrobe Sale
Saturday September 12, 2026
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
2026 Season Subscriptions Still Available
If you have not purchased your season subscriptions, they are still available even though we are in the middle of the 3rd production. The discounted price of $20 per show still applies and this would mean the cost would now be 6 shows X $20=$120 per seat for the remainder of the season.
Please note that the offer is only available until the end of the 4th show of the season – Pressure.
Well, that’s it for now. Enjoy the Spring and Summer. Ottawa and its surrounding area have a lot to offer: restaurants, parks, beaches and of course plays at the Ottawa Little Theatre.
If you would like to chat about how we are doing, you can reach me at president@ottawalittletheatre.com or catch me in the halls of the theatre, I am regularly around.
Best Regards,
Albert Lightstone
President
Ottawa Little Theatre