Andrew Alexander
Tim Oberholzer (right) and Rebecca Noelle (left) in a scene from Hedwig and the Angry Inch.In a city with no shortage of theatres to choose from, The Gladstone provides Ottawa theatregoers with a unique experience in the heart of Centretown’s west-end.
“We’re defining a space within Ottawa theatre that’s not occupied,” says David Whiteley, the season co-ordinator at The Gladstone.
It’s The Gladstone’s structure, multiple companies working together under one roof, that allows it to offer more variety than most theatres, Whiteley says.
Many theatres and companies often stick to a single theme, which “makes perfect sense artistically and offers great things to the public, but it can also exclude a lot of opportunities,” Whiteley says.
When deciding on the season lineup, Whiteley, who is also co-owner of Plosive Productions, which is leasing The Gladstone from owners Marilisa Granzotto and Steve Martin, keeps Plosive’s unofficial motto “audience first” in mind.
He says he looks for shows that will surprise and challenge The Gladstone’s regular customers without alienating them, hoping that will attract new fans.
With 19 different productions, four more than last season and seven more than the season before, variety will be no problem for The Gladstone this season.
Even the classic offerings are diverse, ranging from The Rocky Horror Picture Show to kid-friendly, Radio Show: Christmas Classics.
Adrian Jones, an avid fan and Gladstone volunteer since it opened in 2008, says the range of shows is part of The Gladstone’s charm.
“It’s the variety within the backdrop of a very community focused small theatre.” Jones says. “From one-man shows all the way to lavish productions, it’s a lovely combination.”
This combination seems to be attracting new fans.
The theatre has experienced a 33 per cent jump in subscriptions over last season.
Whiteley says despite the increase in guaranteed revenue, budgeting for the season is difficult because they still rely so heavily on box-office sales to pay their actors.
“The Gladstone always was and always will be a professional theatre,” Whiteley says.
And though they may not pay the same wages as the bigger professional theatres in Ottawa, they’re proud to be the “hiringest” theatre in town, he says.
For Plosive Productions to break even, they need to sell an average of 35 to 40 per cent of seats. Last year’s average was about 30 per cent of seats sold. There’s hope that this year they can improve those numbers.
One show guaranteed to smash the break even point is the encore production of last April’s hit rock musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
“It literally sold out on its last night,” says Whiteley.
To satisfy the chorus of upset patrons who missed their chance in April, Hedwig is showing the first week of October.
Tim Oberholzer plays the lead role of Hedwig.
“It’s the perfect show for people to introduce themselves to live theatre,” says Oberholzer
Hedwig is currently on Broadway and won a Tony in June so it’s no wonder Oberholzer says that “it’s kind of a treat to see this kind of show locally.”
Oberholzer says the show is already 60 per cent sold and will probably sell out again, so those interested should be pre-ordering tickets today.
With the School for Wives wrapping up on Sept. 27, The Gladstone’s busiest season is already well underway.
Upcoming Shows
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Oct 1-Oct. 4
Next to Normal
Oct. 16- Oct. 18