Laura and Samara spend their days as non-profit unicorns and fill every spare minute exploring the world of musical theatre as BFFs (that’s Broadway Friends Forever). Follow @bffs613 on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Once upon a time, something happened in the woods and Ovation Productions is bringing Stephen Sondheim’s spin on classic fairy tales alive to tell us what with Into The Woods. A different angle on the stories you’re used to, it promises to be a wild and beautiful ride. We got to talk with Tanya Guimond, Artistic Producer, Executive Director and Founder of Ovation Productions, to get all the details on this year’s show.
Can you tell us a little bit about Ovation Productions and its goals for local theatre and supporting Ottawa artists?
At Ovation, we are deeply passionate about supporting and elevating local theatre and Ottawa artists. We hold open auditions for anyone interested in working with us and prioritize hiring local talent whenever possible. We also intentionally hire outside talent to help build and foster relationships within the broader theatre community across the country. One of our key priorities is ensuring our artists are paid a weekly rate. We hope this encourages people to pursue theatre as a full-time career and also provides opportunities for those who moved elsewhere to pursue a career in the theatre, the chance to return and work in their hometown.
We also strive to nurture emerging talent. We invite local high school theatre students to attend our dress rehearsals free of charge and have facilitated rehearsal audits and mentor pairings to help artists build their careers. Our commitment also extends beyond our own productions; we actively support other local companies and artists by attending their shows and helping promote their work whenever we can.
Ovation Productions’ Into the Woods cast. Photo: Curtis Perry.
What does the process look like when selecting a show each year for the fall production? What led to Into The Woods being this year’s choice?
As the Artistic Producer, I’m responsible for selecting the shows, and the process typically starts with a list of personal favourites. I’m drawn to shows with darker themes, intriguing characters, and those that offer some form of social commentary. After that, I look at what shows have or haven’t been performed recently, apply for the rights, and wait to hear if they’re available.
The less glamorous side of show selection involves considering practical factors like the size of the band, cast, and specific show requirements—whether they involve complex technical elements, elaborate costumes, or other logistical challenges. We also factor in the space we’ll be performing in and what it allows or limits us to do.
Into the Woods was chosen not only for its beautifully crafted music and lyrics, but also for its universal, timeless stories that will resonate with audiences of all ages. The musical brings together beloved fairy tale characters like Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk, and explores what happens after “happily ever after.” Much like real life, things don’t always stay sunny and simple—challenges arise, making these tales more relatable to our own experiences. The show also strikes a perfect balance of humour and heart, offering audiences a chance to laugh, cry, and find a bit of themselves in the stories that unfold on stage.
We got a little preview of this year’s performance at this month’s Broadway Nights Ottawa where some of the incredibly talented cast performed. This show has a pretty large principal cast whose stories all intersect, what was it like to find the right blend of voices and chemistry to fill the cast?
Sondheim’s works demand performers who are not only strong singers but also skilled actors. The music is often fast-paced, and the harmonies can be quite complex. Fortunately, our music director, Patrick Bowman, has previous experience with Into the Woods, giving us a solid understanding of what to look for musically. When it comes to chemistry, we rely heavily on the energy performers bring to their auditions and are usually able to pair people up quite accurately based on that alone!
Ovation Productions’ Into the Woods cast. Photo: Curtis Perry.
The story is based on fairy tales so there are some magical bits. We can’t wait to see some of the costumes and staging – what role did these pieces play in bringing the story to life?
I love this question, especially because our director, Lauren Boyd, has added a unique “spin” to the show that I think audiences will really enjoy! Without giving too much away, this production has been approached as a found-object musical. The process began with props and costume pieces, which helped inspire and shape the staging. It’s been done very cleverly, and we hope our audiences will feel truly immersed in the story.
Into the Woods is a beloved classic Stephen Sondheim show, it has darkness, humour, levity and charm. What are you hoping audiences take away from this production?
We hope our audiences leave with the realization that we’re all human, simply doing our best with the information we have. Each of us makes choices based on what feels right for ourselves and our loved ones. It’s easy to get caught up in thinking the grass is greener elsewhere or in labelling things as strictly “good” or “bad.” But in reality, we are all complex beings, navigating life on this planet, and doing our best. That may sound deep—or even a bit corny—but this show really does touch on the basics of what it means to be human. What truly matters is staying true to ourselves, finding joy in the every day, and coming together as a community to support one another. If we can leave our audience feeling a sense of joy, then we’ll consider this production a success!
Ovation Productions’ Into the Woods takes place from Oct. 25 to Nov. 3 with evening and matinee performances. Tickets range between $46.75 to $104.25.
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