Rock Lives at Immaculata
Ottawa's high school theatre scene is no stranger to ambition, but Immaculata High School's recent production of We Will Rock You: School Edition took things to another level entirely. Directed by Jillian Budgell, the show brought Queen's iconic catalogue roaring to life on a school stage — and according to Cappies critic Julia Koshy of St. Pius X High School, it was an undeniable smash hit.
For the uninitiated, We Will Rock You is a jukebox musical built around Queen's greatest songs, set in a dystopian future where live music has been outlawed and conformity rules. It's a show that demands big voices, big energy, and a cast willing to throw themselves fully into the spirit of rock. By all accounts, the Immaculata students delivered exactly that.
The Soul of Rock and Roll, Alive on Stage
Koshy's review captured what made the production so special: in a world of manufactured music and algorithm-driven playlists, it takes real conviction to sell a story about fighting for authentic artistic expression. The Immaculata cast did just that — bringing passion and fire to every number.
The Cappies program, which has been running in Ottawa for years, gives high school students the chance to review their peers' productions and recognize outstanding work. Being covered by a Cappies critic is itself a mark of distinction in the city's scholastic arts community, and a strong review like this one is something the Immaculata drama department can be proud of.
Ottawa's High School Theatre Scene Punches Above Its Weight
What's striking about productions like this one is how consistently Ottawa high schools manage to stage professional-calibre work with student casts and limited budgets. Schools across the city — from Glebe to Gloucester, Nepean to Notre Dame — have been turning out Cappies-reviewed shows that rival community theatre in ambition and execution.
We Will Rock You is a particularly demanding choice. The show's rock arrangements require strong vocals and stage presence, and the dystopian storyline needs earnest, committed performances to land emotionally. Pulling it off as a school production is no small feat.
For Immaculata, a Catholic high school in the Sandy Hill neighbourhood, this production represents the kind of creative achievement that defines a student's high school experience — the long rehearsals, the last-minute costume fixes, the adrenaline of opening night, and ultimately the roar of an audience on its feet.
Why It Matters
In a city that sometimes undersells its arts community, moments like this are worth celebrating. Ottawa has a rich tradition of live performance — from the National Arts Centre to local community theatres — and high school productions are where the next generation of performers, directors, and stagehands get their start.
If you missed the run, keep an eye on Immaculata's drama department for future productions. And if you're a parent, teacher, or arts supporter in Ottawa, the Cappies program is an excellent way to stay connected to the city's vibrant scholastic theatre community.
Rock and roll, as it turns out, isn't going anywhere — at least not in Ottawa.
Source: Ottawa Citizen / Cappies — Read the original review
