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.
It’s that time again! 2024’s Show Tune Showdown—one of the most exciting nights in Ottawa theatre—is hitting Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe on April 27. Get ready to dance in your seat, sing and use your trivia skills alongside some of the best in Ottawa’s theatre scene. We chatted with Rob Bowman, the 2024 producer and concept originator, to learn more about what we can expect from this beloved annual event.
Apt613: We are so excited for this year’s Show Tune Showdown! For those who haven’t been before, can you tell us more about Show Tune Showdown?
Rob: Three teams of musical theatre performers go head-to-head in a live performance and show tune trivia competition in front of three local celebrity judges. Each team performs show tunes from various Broadway musicals and gets points from the judges for their performances. Throughout the night, there will be showdown rounds where teams answer trivia questions to identify a song title and if a team guesses it right, they perform it unrehearsed on the spot. We even have an audience round where someone in the audience can name a song correctly and come on stage to perform it. Throw in an opening number by Tone Cluster and a closing audience singalong and all together you have a show to remember!
Photo by Derek Hille
Apt613: The judges always add great humour and valuable insights—who is on the docket for this year’s judges?
Rob: This year’s judges include Juno award-winning singer/songwriter, Lynn Miles, CBC Radio host of All in a Day, Alan Neal, and Ottawa city councillor, Jeff Leiper. Jeff has been an engaging judge in an earlier edition of the show and we’re fortunate to have him back. Alan and Lynn were a terrific combination as part of the judging panel on the virtual STS that took place during the pandemic. This time, the audience will have the benefit of getting to see each judge’s hilarious, astute but always supportive reactions in person.
Apt613: One of the most important pieces is the contestants. There are some familiar companies and new faces in the mix this year—who will be performing?
Rob: Last year’s champion, the wonderful, talented bunch from Orpheus Musical Theatre, is back and competing against Suzart Productions, who have been musical theatre mainstays for many years. For the first time, Broadway Nights Ottawa is competing in the show. They are the production company responsible for the monthly musical theatre open mics, and they have picked four of their best performers to be part of the event.
Photo by Derek Hille
Apt613: Jesse Reynolds is back as the host with the most this year—what can audiences expect and look forward to in this year’s Showdown?
Rob: Jesse is back as host and uses his skills with stand-up comedy to deliver even more spontaneous wisecracks and hilarious interactions with the performers, judges and the audience. For the most part, the repertoire chosen by the teams, and for the showdown rounds, will be quite upbeat and from a great mix of modern and classic musicals. For all of the 17 editions of Show Tune Showdown, Tone Cluster-quite a queer choir has been the organizer of the event and this event is the main fundraiser for their choral music season and community appearances. This year is special because it is Tone Cluster’s 30th anniversary season, and a special anniversary video will be shown to showcase this accomplishment!
Apt613: Show Tune Showdown is one of our favourite theatre events of the year! What is it that you think brings excited audiences back year after year?
Rob: Show Tune Showdown has captivated audiences year after year for several reasons, including the event’s showcase of talent, its friendly competition and unpredictability. Audiences are attracted to the various teams and judges every year, the ever-changing repertoire of classic and new musicals, the show-down rounds that make it unclear who will be the winner and the friendly supportive rapport between the MC, the teams, the judges and the audience. It is a chance for audiences to satisfy their love of Broadway musicals with laughter, singalongs and top-notch performances. This show has been such a winning formula there have been other editions in cities such as Denver, Kansas City, Minneapolis and NYC.
Show Tune Showdown runs at Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $35. The show runs for about two and a half hours with an intermission.
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