Capital Cappies’ 14th season to involve 25 Ottawa-area schools

“Expect amazing!” is the theme of the upcoming 14th season of Canada's Capital Cappies.

Cappies, an international writing and awards program, instructs high school theatre and journalism students on critical thinking, review-writing and leadership. Student critics compete to be published in the Citizen by attending productions at other schools and submitting reviews for consideration.

Twenty-five schools are participating this year in the Cappies program in the Ottawa-Gatineau area. They include schools from the Ottawa Catholic School Board, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, the West Quebec School Board, Almonte and District School Board and several private schools.

The season opened on Nov. 28 with St. Pius X High School's performance of Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan's play based on George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.

Katie Lewis-Prieur, Canada's Capital Cappies chair said, “The shows being produced by the high schools this year are a more eclectic range than ever. We have fun for the family with Seussical the Musical, Newsies, The Wizard of Oz, Godspell, Peter Pan and Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Broadway musicals include Chicago, Mamma Mia!, and Little Shop of Horrors among others. Some schools are doing shows based on true stories such as Radium Girls and The Light Burns Blue. We have at least one opportunity to see a Shakespeare play as well."

Cappies Program Director, Maria Maclean echoed, "I'm always so astounded by the quality of the plays and musicals that the students put on each year. It was a no-brainer to pick a theme like 'Expect Amazing!' when the work being produced is outstanding.”

The season officially ends on May 5 with Almonte and District High School's drama club's portrayal of the Mark Haddon novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which won the Tony for best play on Broadway in 2015.

The public is welcome to attend these high school shows, but should contact the individual schools for ticket and show run information.