Ottawa Suite

01/16/2023

Many thanks and a fond farewell from the Ottawa Suite!

After a very successful three-night run, with two sold out shows, the intrepid (and now very tired) co-creators of the Ottawa Suite, Rob Frayne (composer, conductor), and Paul Rainville (script writer, narrator) would like to thank everyone who made the show possible - the talented and hard-working cast and crew, the behind-the-scenes magic workers, the Great Canadian Theatre Company, but most of all YOU, the audience, who brought us your warm appreciation and support.

We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when!!

Photos by Curtis Perry Photography
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01/11/2023

We had such a great opening night for Ottawa Suite yesterday!

We are sold out for tonight's show, but there are still a few tickets left for Thursday's performance - don't forget to come dressed in your best 1950's - 1960's attire. Get your tickets before they’re gone!

Tickets: https://www.gctc.ca/events/ottawa-suite
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A journey to Ottawa’s vibrant past through music, story and dance: Buckle up for a wild and groovy romp through time to Ottawa’s music and nightlife scenes of the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Along the way, you’ll make stops at three legendary, now nearly forgotten venues: the Trocadero, the Chaudière...

01/10/2023

Tonight is the night! Ottawa Suite performances begin tonight at 8pm the Great Canadian Theatre Company!

Have you purchased your tickets yet? Purchase tickets online at: https://www.gctc.ca/events/ottawa-suite.

Buckle up for a wild and groovy romp through time to Ottawa’s music and nightlife scenes of the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Along the way, you’ll make stops at three legendary, now nearly forgotten venues: the Trocadero, the Chaudière and Le Hibou.

01/09/2023

Meet the Cast of Ottawa Suite (premiering this week at The GCTC): Matt Newton

Matt Newton is a Toronto based pianist, composer, and educator. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto Jazz Program and has attended the Banff International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music where he studied with world renowned trumpeter/composer Dave Douglas, and pianist Deron Johnson (Miles Davis).

This week (Jan. 10-12, 2023), Matt joins the cast of Ottawa Suite to present a whimsical retrospective of Ottawa’s vibrant jazz and music scene through the years.

Tickets available at gctc.ca/events/ottawa-suite.

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01/09/2023

Meet the Cast of Ottawa Suite (premiering this week at The GCTC): Scott White

Scott White is an experienced performer, having first played with Rob Frayne and the legendary Claude Ranger in Vancouver in 1987. After studying classical with Joel Quarrington and jazz with Dave Holland, he served as bandleader and musical director for some of Cirque du Soleil's European shows; after spending 20+ years in Berlin, White has returned to Canada to enjoy the pandemic amongst old friends and reconnect with Canadian roots legends The Bills, with whom he has played for over 15 years.

This week (Jan. 10-12, 2023), Scott joins the cast of Ottawa Suite to present a whimsical retrospective of Ottawa’s vibrant jazz and music scene through the years.

Tickets available at gctc.ca/events/ottawa-suite.

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01/09/2023

Meet the Cast of Ottawa Suite (premiering this week at The GCTC): Martine Courage

Pursuing her love of music and creative jazz in her spare time, Martine has performed at the Ottawa International Jazz Festival, Montreal's Downstairs Club, Kingston's Baby Grand Theatre, as well as many Ottawa and area venues with jazz musicians such as Garry Elliott, Vince Halfhide, Roddy Ellias, Mike Rud and Mark Ferguson.

This week (Jan. 10-12, 2023), Martine joins the cast of Ottawa Suite to present a whimsical retrospective of Ottawa’s vibrant jazz and music scene through the years.

Tickets available at gctc.ca/events/ottawa-suite.
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01/08/2023

Meet the Cast of Ottawa Suite (premiering this week at The GCTC): Vince Halfhide.

With over four decades in the music business --meaning he's old enough to have nearly forgotten playing at the Chaud and le Hibou -- guitarist Vince Halfhide is a long-time fixture in Ottawa's blues and roots scene, having played with many legendary musicians including Terry Gillespie, Sneezy Waters, and the Mighty Popo.

This week (Jan. 10-12, 2023), Vince joins the cast of Ottawa Suite to present a whimsical retrospective of Ottawa’s vibrant jazz and music scene through the years.

Tickets available at gctc.ca/events/ottawa-suite.

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01/07/2023

Meet the Cast of Ottawa Suite (premiering next week at The GCTC): Robin Treleaven.

Robin Treleaven is a professional contemporary dance artist performing, choreographing and teaching around the Ottawa area.

Next week (Jan. 10-12, 2023), Robin joins the cast of Ottawa Suite to present a whimsical retrospective of Ottawa’s vibrant jazz and music scene through the years.

Tickets available at gctc.ca/events/ottawa-suite.

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01/06/2023

Meet the Cast of Ottawa Suite (premiering next week at The GCTC): Miriam Benoy.

Miriam Benoy is an emerging dance artist based in Ottawa, Ontario, who has trained extensively at The School of Dance, graduating from the Professional Ballet program in 2019 and the Contemporary Dance Diploma program in 2022.

Next week (Jan. 10-12, 2023), Miriam joins the cast of Ottawa Suite to present a whimsical retrospective of Ottawa’s vibrant jazz and music scene through the years.

Tickets available at gctc.ca/events/ottawa-suite.

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01/06/2023

Rob Frayne’s Ottawa Suite brings audiences back in time...

For Ottawa Suite, Frayne has churned out almost 20 pounds of sheet music for a 12-musician ensemble to play when the production begins its three-night run Tuesday at the Great Canadian Theatre Company. To create the music, he worked 12-hour days for the last four months, he says.

Read more: https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/local-arts/remember-ottawas-beatnik-era-hippie-era-swing-era-rob-fraynes-ottawa-suite-brings-audiences-back-in-time?fbclid=IwAR32fUc4OnNdE5WD_7RdaWCOUMuGIx7Sa6_iuCBLIZmRGAxHKnDO-adhPhM

The production celebrates Ottawa's legendary live music venues of yore, before the "city that fun forgot" nickname was born

01/06/2023

Meet the Cast of Ottawa Suite (premiering next week at The GCTC): Mary Catherine Jack.

Mary Catherine Jack is an Ottawa based independent dance artist. She is passionate about movement and divides her career between teaching, creating and performing. Mary Catherine is constantly exploring the corners of her imagination and finds inspiration readily and often in nature, in art, in music and in the amazing community she surrounds herself with.

Next week (Jan. 10-12, 2023), Mary Catherine joins the cast of Ottawa Suite to present a whimsical retrospective of Ottawa’s vibrant jazz and music scene through the years.

Tickets available at gctc.ca/events/ottawa-suite.

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01/05/2023

Meet the Cast of Ottawa Suite (premiering next week at The GCTC): Emily Pearlman.

Emily Pearlman is a theatre artist and educator who is interested in live experiences that bring together intergenerational groups of people and develop their relationship to place and each other. She has co-created over 30 performance works in collaboration with theatre makers, dancers, musicians, audio-makers, schools, and communities and is particularly partial to events that get people outdoors.

Next week (Jan. 10-12, 2023), Emily joins the cast of Ottawa Suite to present a whimsical retrospective of Ottawa’s vibrant jazz and music scene through the years.

Tickets available at gctc.ca/events/ottawa-suite.

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