Orpheus Musical Theatre Society – Bytown’s little bit of Broadway
For well over 100 years, in fact as long as Ottawa has had a public library, the city’s much-lauded Orpheus Musical Theatre Society has been entertaining local audiences with musical performances of all kinds.
Established in 1906 as the Orpheus Glee Club, the society has maintained its mission of producing professional quality musical theatre by amateurs while “nurturing ” aspiring performers and production personnel on and off the stage. The society’s long list of theatre alumni includes such celebrities as newsman Peter Jennings, actors Michael Torontow and Michael Burgess, and singer-songwriter-actress Alanis Morrisette.
On May 29, Orpheus opens Hairspray – The Broadway Musical, the society’s final production for 2014-2015 at Centrepointe Theatre. According to marketing and publicity director Beki Lantos, close to 170 people auditioned for roles in the popular musical. Lantos, who also attended the cast’s first read- and sing-through of the script says, “I think audiences are going to be amazed by the talent and energy that has come out for this show.” Hairspray – The Broadway Musical runs until June 7.
The Broadway show is a far cry from Orpheus’ very first offering, a choral concert that was held on Jan. 15, 1907 at the Russell Theatre on the site of what is now the National War Memorial in Confederation Square. The Ottawa Citizen’s review of the debut concert said it was “one of the most successful musical evenings that Ottawa music lovers have had the pleasure of attending for a very long time.”
Over the next 50 years the glee club transitioned into an operatic society and then into the musical theatre society it is now. Orpheus tackled its first Broadway musical (Oklahoma!) in 1956 and never looked back. Today, the Orpheus Musical Theatre Society produces three Broadway shows each season, an expensive and intensive undertaking for the volunteer, not-for-profit organization. Lantos says the society is undergoing a governance restructuring to create a “stronger foundation” and a more efficient strategic stance moving forward.
The society operates its own office and theatre work space at 17 Fairmont Avenue. It is here where auditions are held, sets are constructed and painted, rehearsals occur, workshops are conducted, and the Orpheus “family” kicks back for social times.
“Orpheus isn’t just about putting on shows,” says Lantos. “It’s also about nurturing the passion and talent people have for any aspect of theatre, whether it’s on stage or off stage. We work hard to make sure our audition, preparation, and performance processes are fun. This helps us in creating the ambiance of family, fun and friendship.”
Membership in Orpheus is $30 per year. Ticket subscriptions for the 2015-2016 season go on sale May 29 for what could be one of Orpheus’ hottest season line-ups ever. On tap are audience favourites Anne of Green Gables (The
Musical), A Chorus Line, and The Who’s Tommy. Discounts are available for seniors and students, and for multi-show purchases.
The Orpheus Musical Theatre Society welcomes all new members, as well as new “Orpheus Angel” financial partners. For more information about Orpheus, or to purchase tickets, visit www.orpheus-theatre.ca.