Ottawa's vibrant student theatre scene got another standout moment as St. Paul High School took the stage with their production of Something Rotten! Jr., earning a glowing Cappies review from a critic at St. Joseph High School.
A Renaissance of Talent
Set against the backdrop of the Renaissance, Something Rotten! Jr. is a musical comedy that blends Shakespearean satire with big Broadway energy. Under the direction of Lesley Thomas, the St. Paul cast leaned fully into the show's comedic premise, asking the age-old question: what does it truly mean to be true to yourself?
According to Cappies critic Gianna Dufresne of St. Joseph High School, the production delivered on all fronts. The show was described as "animated and lively," with standout performances anchored by clever wordplay, memorable characters, and musical numbers that kept the audience thoroughly engaged from start to finish.
What Is Something Rotten! Jr.?
Something Rotten! is a Tony-nominated Broadway musical that follows two brothers in the Renaissance era desperately trying to write the world's first musical, all while living in the shadow of a certain famous playwright named Shakespeare. The Jr. edition adapts the show for younger performers while preserving the wit and theatrical flair that made it a hit on Broadway.
It's the kind of show that rewards a cast willing to commit to the absurdity, and by all accounts, St. Paul's students did exactly that.
Ottawa's Cappies Program: Celebrating Student Theatre
The Cappies, short for Critics and Awards Program, is a celebrated initiative that has been championing high school theatre in Ottawa and across North America for decades. Student critics from participating schools attend each other's productions, write reviews, and ultimately vote on awards that recognize the best performances of the season.
For Ottawa theatre lovers, the Cappies season is a wonderful reminder of the extraordinary talent developing right here in our own schools. From Kanata to Gloucester, schools across the city pour months of rehearsal, creativity, and passion into productions that rival community and semi-professional theatre in quality and heart.
Why You Should Pay Attention to Student Theatre
If you haven't caught a high school musical in Ottawa lately, you're missing out. Productions like St. Paul's Something Rotten! Jr. are more than just school events. They're genuine theatrical experiences, often featuring students who will go on to perform on stages far beyond Ottawa.
Keep an eye on the Cappies schedule throughout the spring season. Tickets are typically affordable and the shows are genuinely entertaining, a great night out for families, theatre buffs, and anyone who wants to support young artists in the community.
Congratulations to the entire cast and crew of St. Paul High School, director Lesley Thomas, and everyone who made this production a success.
Source: Ottawa Citizen / Cappies. Review by Gianna Dufresne, St. Joseph High School.
