The Ottawa Little Theatre (OLT) is starting this year right by announcing its 2024 season. From comedies to thrillers to dramas and more, Canada’s longest-continuously-running community theatre is on its 111th season, with over 8,900 cast and crew members having been involved in 1,313 productions since its first season, with all-volunteer actors, directors, designers, and administrators.
Before I get into the upcoming season, I’d like to take a moment to mention the recent passing of OLT’s president, Geoff Gruson. A loving member of the community, he was known for his myriad roles at the theatre, including but not limited to director, set designer, and actor, with his last role as Scrooge from A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley. Patrons, volunteers, and community members will gather at a celebration of life to be held at the Ottawa Little Theatre on Saturday, Jan. 13, at 2pm with a reception in the theatre lobby afterwards. All are welcome.
Geoff Gruson as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley, 2023. Photo provided.
Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express
Adapted by Ken Ludwig
Directed by Venetia Lawless and Lindsay Laviolette
Feb. 28–March 16, 2024
A classic murder mystery that needn’t be summarized (but will be anyway), Murder on the Orient Express starts this year’s season strong. As the title implies, a diabolical murder takes place on the luxurious Orient Express (I know, shocker). Discovering the murderer becomes quite a challenge, especially since everyone on board is not only a suspect, but also has an alibi. Pop by to see if your detection skills can put Hercule Poirot’s to shame.
Murder on the Orient Express. Photo provided.
Grand Horizons
By Bess Wohl
Directed by Chantale Plante
April 3–20, 2024
Are you looking for a dramedy with tough but necessary commentary on family and marriage? In Grand Horizons, Bill and Nancy want a divorce after being married for 50 years. It’s something completely normal, though that doesn’t stop their two adult sons from racking their brains trying to figure out why their parents want to split up. Bill and Nancy’s marriage wasn’t as sunshine and rainbows as it seemed, and the men must work together to look past their blissful ignorance and discover what their parents’ relationship was truly like.
Grand Horizons. Photo provided.
Stag and Doe
By Mark Crawford
Directed by Greg Hancock
May 8–25, 2024
This farcical Canadian comedy tells the story of Stag and Doe, a couple about to begin festivities in their rural community hall—until another couple swoops in to claim the party space after their wedding tent blows away. It doesn’t help that their entire catering staff is in jail! Seriously, how’d that happen? (This is the part where you save a ticket to find out, thus answering my question.)
Stag and Doe. Photo provided.
An Act of Grace
By John Muggleton
Directed by Lindsay Laviolette
June 12–29, 2024
From the Ottawa writer of Burn comes this suspenseful dark comedy that won Best Production, the People’s Choice Award, and Outstanding Achievement in Playwriting at the 2019 EODL Festival—An Act of Grace. Grace, our rich and mysterious protagonist, invites a financial advisor and a lawyer with disgraceful secrets to her mansion. It’s here where her dying wish forces these two men to unpredictable extremes. That alone keeps me on the edge of my seat!
An Act of Grace. Photo provided.
Hilda’s Yard
By Norm Foster
Directed by Val Bogan
July 17–Aug. 3, 2024
The OLT brings us another Canadian comedy (not to be mistaken for any other kind of comedy) this summer. It’s 1956, and the Flucks are free of their 30-something children now that they have finally moved out. Oops! Spoke too soon! Their son flings himself over the garden fence on the run from the mob. Their daughter does the same not long after having just left her husband. What could be the reasons behind these totally-normal-and-not-at-all-strange actions?
Hilda’s Yard. Photo provided.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
By Mark Haddon, adapted by Simon Stephens
Directed by Riley Stewart
Aug. 21–Sept. 7, 2024
Based on the best-selling novel, this drama is about Christopher, a brilliant 15-year-old who’s ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. Having always stayed on his block, everything changes once his neighbour’s dog gets killed. Now, he’s out to solve this mystery, taking himself on a world-shifting journey.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Photo provided.
Romantic Comedy
By Bernard Slade
Directed by Brian Cano
Sept. 25–Oct. 12, 2024
Hadn’t had enough Canadian comedy? Meet Jason Carmichael, an arrogant, selfish, yet witty and successful co-author of many Broadway comedies. After a description like that, needing a new writing partner sounds unlike him. On the day of his high society wedding, he meets Phoebe, a mousy and up-and-coming playwright. The following 15 years are best described as an emotional work rollercoaster.
Romantic Comedy. Photo provided.
Guilty Conscience
By Richard Levinson and William Link
Directed by Ian Gillies
Oct. 30–Nov. 16, 2024
Thriller lovers should be sure to check out Guilty Conscience, a play from the creators of the acclaimed TV series Columbo. It’s about a criminal attorney planning to kill his wife and getting away with it, but that alone is easier said than done. So imagine his surprise when he discovers that someone is scheming to kill him at the same time! Oh, the drama!
Guilty Conscience. Photo provided.
On the Farce Day of Christmas
By Ken Levine
Directed by Sarah Hearn
Dec. 4–21, 2024
And, of course, the year will end with a Christmas production for the holidays. Don’t you just love hiding your love problems from your parents? Well, Wendy sure doesn’t; she’s got to keep her mother from knowing she’s divorced—quite the hassle, really. So, our protagonist pays her charming ex to pretend to be her husband and spend Christmas with her family (as one does). What could go wrong, you may ask? Plenty, apparently. You’ll just have to find out for yourselves!
On the Farce Day of Christmas. Photo provided.
Subscriptions to the OLT’s 2024 season are on sale now. Single tickets go on sale in late January. The OLT’s Besserer St. entrance provides step-free direct access to the auditorium. Six wheelchair seating locations are available. Wheelchair ramps are available upon request. A disability accessible washroom is available. Patrons with hearing disability can borrow hearing assist devices at the coat check and the Besserer St. entrance free of charge.
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