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 Instagram and Facebook.
Normally this is where we say “It’s that time again!” as Show Tune Showdown, the fundraiser competition amongst some of Ottawa’s best musical theatre companies, fills the seats of Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe every April…but this year is set to be the final one! We guess we should instead say “This is your last chance to catch one of Ottawa’s epic musical theatre events of the year!”
Ahead of the final show, we chatted with Rob Bowman, the 2025 producer and concept originator, to learn more about why this beloved annual event is dropping the curtain for the final time. Read on for how to ensure you get your tickets to what’s become a marquee event on the Ottawa musical theatre calendar.
Apt613: Before we get into why this is the last one, can you tell us a bit more about what Show Tune Showdown is for those who haven’t been before (and have been missing out!)?
Rob Bowman: Show Tune Showdown™ is a musical theatre performance and show tune trivia competition between three teams of experienced singers from three different local arts organizations.
Each team prepares two tunes to sing for the judges and audience and is awarded up to 10 points from each judge for their efforts. Teams earn additional points in “showdown rounds” by correctly guessing the names of show tunes and performing them unrehearsed on the spot, for which they get additional points.
Throw in an audience showdown round, an opening number by Tone Cluster and two audience singalongs and you have quite an entertaining evening!
Apt613: So tell us, after 20 years of successful fundraisers and enjoyable events getting bigger and bigger – why stop now?
RB: Tone Cluster has loved being the host of Show Tune Showdown for the past 20 years. Over the past 18 editions of the show, Tone Cluster has showcased 54 teams from 12 different arts organizations and invited 54 judges to give their sage advice in front of thousands of musical theatre fans to raise over $130,000 for Tone Cluster.
The event was originally conceived by me as a fundraiser for Tone Cluster, but over the years the production costs of the show have increased significantly. In addition, the show requires a large number of dedicated volunteers to stage the show.
Tone Cluster has grown over the years, including the launch this year of a sister choir, All Voices, and the organization wants to refocus its energies on assisting these choirs as they produce concerts and community appearances. Stay tuned because Tone Cluster plans to host a more simplified, yet very entertaining, fundraising event in 2026.
Apt613: What can folks expect from this final showdown?
RB: The final showdown will be a night of show-stopping entertainment with a bit of nostalgia thrown in to acknowledge what we’ve accomplished over these many years. We want to take the opportunity at the show to give a shout-out to some of Show Tune Showdown’s MVPs including Zucchini Productions and Orpheus Musical Theatre, organizations who have participated in 14 editions, Bob LeDrew who has written the script for all 18 editions, Wendy Berkelaar who has been music director and team captain on 14 editions, and Andrea Black who has performed in eight editions of this event.
Members of our production crew have come back year after year to volunteer including Gianluca Ragazzini who provided audiovisuals for all 18 editions and produced five editions of the show, David Haskins who has been the scorekeeper for 17 shows and Heather Daley who has built our audience with great publicity and increased sponsorship support.
The final audience sing-along So Long Farewell from the Sound of Music will close the show and be a fond farewell to the audience and acknowledge all who have contributed over the years.
Apt613: The judges and host always add great humour and valuable insights – who is on the docket for this year’s judges and host? And a special return guest perhaps?
RB: Matt Skube, a CTV Ottawa newscaster, will be one of our judges and he is a big show tune fan, so that will help him in his duties. Ariel Troster, Ottawa city councillor for Somerset Ward and community member, returns as a judge for the final showdown. The funny and talented cartoonist John Atkinson, whose cartoons have been in Time Magazine and other publications, lives here in Ottawa and will also be on the judging panel.
The special return guest will be Bob LeDrew who had hosted the event for 14 editions and we thought it would be appropriate to bring him back to co-host with Jesse Reynolds for the final edition.
Apt613: One of the most important pieces is the competing theatre companies. Who will we be seeing perform?
RB: For our final showdown, we have three teams known for their winning performances in previous shows. Broadway Nights Ottawa are the returning champions from last year and long-time participants Orpheus Musical Theatre and Zucchini Productions come back both for their 14 appearances at Show Tune Showdown. We can’t think of a better way to present our final edition than to have these three top-notch teams going head to head.
Show Tune Showdown runs at Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe on Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $40.75. The show runs for about two and a half hours with an intermission.
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