Ottawa's Glebe Gets a Taste of Broadway Absurdity
Ottawa's vibrant community theatre scene is heating up this spring with a production of Something Rotten at the Glebe Community Centre — and if you haven't heard of this musical yet, prepare to be delighted.
The show is a comedic love letter to the golden age of Broadway, set in Renaissance England where two struggling playwright brothers try desperately to out-write a certain swaggering bard named William Shakespeare. Think sequins, sorcery, and a whole lot of eggs. Yes, eggs.
What's the Show About?
Something Rotten, originally written by Karey and Wayne Kirkman and John O'Farrell, is a Tony Award-nominated musical that parodies both Shakespearean theatre and Broadway musicals themselves. The story follows Nick and Nigel Bottom — two playwrights living in the shadow of the great Will Shakespeare — who visit a soothsayer to find out what the future of theatre holds. The answer? Musicals. The result? Chaos.
It's a show that rewards theatregoers who know their Shakespeare and rewards those who don't equally well. The jokes are layered, the songs are catchy, and the costumes tend to be gloriously over the top.
A Community Production Worth Watching
What makes this production particularly special is the community spirit behind it. The Glebe Community Centre has long been a hub for local arts and culture in Ottawa, and productions like this one showcase just how much homegrown talent this city has. CBC Ottawa's Sandra Abma caught up with cast and crew to get an inside look at what went into bringing this ambitious musical to a community stage.
Community theatre in Ottawa punches well above its weight — and shows like Something Rotten are proof that you don't need a Mirvish budget to put on something genuinely entertaining.
Why You Should Go
If you're looking for something fun to do in Ottawa this spring that isn't a hockey game or a patio crawl (though those are great too), live theatre is always a solid call. Something Rotten is especially approachable — it's funny, fast-paced, and doesn't require any prior Shakespeare knowledge to enjoy.
The Glebe Community Centre is located in one of Ottawa's most walkable and beloved neighbourhoods, making it easy to pair a show with dinner on Bank Street beforehand.
Get Your Tickets
Check the Glebe Community Centre's website or CBC Ottawa for show dates, times, and ticketing information. These community runs tend to sell out, especially for shows with buzz around them — so don't sleep on grabbing your seats.
Ottawa's arts scene thrives when locals show up. This is a great chance to support homegrown talent, have a few laughs, and maybe leave humming a tune or two.
Source: CBC Ottawa
