Ottawa's local theatre scene is pulling off something genuinely wild this weekend — a musical that somehow weaves Alice in Wonderland into the darkest days of the Second World War.
What Is Alice by Heart?
Alice by Heart is a stage musical that reimagines Lewis Carroll's beloved characters as unexpected sources of comfort during the London Blitz. Set amid the terror of Nazi bombing raids on Britain in the early 1940s, the show follows young people sheltering underground who find solace by retreating into the fantastical world of Wonderland. The White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, and the rest of Carroll's cast become metaphors for resilience, escapism, and the very human need to cope with trauma.
The show features music by Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening) and lyrics by Steven Sater, making it a proper rock musical with emotional weight to spare.
A Local Collaboration Worth Watching
What makes this production especially exciting for Ottawa audiences is the creative partnership behind it. The Ottawa School of Theatre has joined forces with School of Rock Orleans — bringing together trained theatre students and young musicians in a genuinely cross-disciplinary production.
That kind of community collaboration is exactly what keeps local arts scenes alive. Expect live instrumentation, strong vocal performances, and a show that feels a lot bigger than its community-theatre origins might suggest.
Where and When
The production runs this weekend at the Shenkman Arts Centre in east Ottawa. Located in Orléans, Shenkman is one of the city's most important community arts hubs, regularly hosting local productions, dance performances, and music events that often fly under the radar of downtown crowds — but shouldn't.
If you've never made the trip out to Orléans for a show, this is a solid reason to finally do it.
Why You Should Go
Ottawa doesn't always get credit for the depth of its local performing arts community, but productions like this are a reminder of just how much talent exists here. Blending wartime history with beloved childhood mythology is a bold creative choice, and seeing young performers take on material this emotionally complex is genuinely impressive.
It's also just a fascinating premise. The London Blitz was one of the most psychologically brutal sustained civilian crises in modern history — pairing that with the dreamlike whimsy of Wonderland creates real dramatic tension. How do you hold onto imagination when reality is trying to destroy you? Alice by Heart seems to think Carroll had some answers.
Whether you're a theatre regular or just looking for something different to do this weekend in Ottawa, this one earns a look.
Source: CBC Ottawa / Sandra Abma. Tickets and showtimes available through the Shenkman Arts Centre.
