When she was thirteen, a school excursion to see a touring production of The Phantom of the Opera opened her eyes to the world of musical theatre. As soon as the chandelier lit up and rose to the ceiling, she was completely spellbound. That moment sparked a lifelong appreciation for the arts, further enhanced through fine arts and drama training in high school and CEGEP. Courtney also co-teaches a bilingual Teen Theatre Appreciation and Criticism class at the Ottawa School of Theatre. Originally from Montreal, she now lives in the Ottawa, Canada, area and enjoys attending local professional and community theatre shows, and tries to get to New York and Toronto to see shows whenever she can.
LEARN MORE ABOUT Courtney Castelino
First Show:
The Phantom of the OperaFavorite Show:
HamiltonFavorite Stories:
- Review: HAMILTON at Ottawa's National Arts Centre - When Hamilton first came onto the scene, I wasn't very excited, as I have never been a fan of rap music and, being Canadian, I figured that the storyline would hold little interest for me. When I listened to the original cast recording, I quickly realized that Hamilton was more than just American history set to rap music. The music is a complex fusion of many different genres and the story holds much deeper meaning. After seeing Hamilton on stage, it overtook Phantom as my all-time favourite show (although Phantom still holds a dear place in my heart as my first musical).
- BWW Review: Orpheus' Production of MATILDA THE MUSICAL at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe -
- Review: PRISON DANCER THE MUSICAL at Ottawa's National Arts Centre -
- Review: Orpheus Musical Theatre's NEWSIES at Meridian Theatres at Centrepoint -
- Review: COME FROM AWAY at Ottawa's National Arts Centre -
Review: The NAC English Theatre's Presentation of the Epic MAHABHARATA: KARMA - PART 1
May 16, 2025
May 16, 2025
The curtain closed on Mahabharata: Karma - Part 1 The Life We Inherit to an uproar of applause. Upon exiting the theatre, the air was filled with loud, excited chatter, as is always the case at the National Arts Centre when the audience is deeply appreciative of what they have just seen.
Review: MOMIX's ALICE at Ottawa's National Arts Centre
May 11, 2025
May 11, 2025
The National Arts Centre Dance’s final show of the season is MOMIX’s Alice, a piece that takes us on a journey down the proverbial rabbit hole into a beautiful, bizarre, and surreal world.
Review: Agatha Christie's AND THEN THERE WERE NONE at Ottawa Little Theatre
May 9, 2025
May 9, 2025
The world’s favourite Agatha Christie mystery, And Then There Were None, opened this week at Ottawa Little Theatre. Ten people have gathered on Soldier Island, ostensibly to attend a party, despite having no former acquaintance with each other or their hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Owen.
Review: Kanata Theatre's Presentation of I HATE HAMLET
May 9, 2025
May 9, 2025
Kanata Theatre premiered the final show of its 56th season, Paul Rudnick’s comedy, I Hate Hamlet to a full house
Interview: Amelia Rose Griffin and Liz Winkelaar of Propeller Dance's Discuss SO IT TURNS, WE BLOOM
April 24, 2025
April 24, 2025
We spoke about the show's themes and received advice for how theatres can make their shows more accessible
Review: Peeping Tom's DIPTYCH: THE MISSING DOOR AND THE LOST ROOM at Ottawa's National Arts Centre
April 12, 2025
April 12, 2025
Multiple award-winning Belgian dance theatre company, Peeping Tom, brought a new style of dance to Ottawa this week, displaying their signature blend of dance, theatre, and acrobatics with their production of Diptych: The missing door and The lost room at the National Arts Centre.
Review: NOW AND THEN at Ottawa Little Theatre
April 6, 2025
April 6, 2025
What did our critic think of NOW AND THEN at Ottawa Little Theatre?
Review: The Royal Winnipeg Ballet's JEKYLL AND HYDE at Ottawa's National Arts Centre
April 6, 2025
April 6, 2025
What did our critic think of JEKYLL AND HYDE at National Arts Centre?
Review: TRIDENT MOON at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa
April 4, 2025
April 4, 2025
What did our critic think of TRIDENT MOON at National Arts Centre?
Review: Kanata Theatre's HOME, I'M DARLING at the Ron Maslin Playhouse
March 28, 2025
March 28, 2025
The opening scene of Kanata Theatre’s presentation of Laura Wade’s Home, I’m Darling introduces us to Judy (Katie Torresan), housewife extraordinaire. Judy, decked out in a frock and frilly apron waits patiently in her checker tiled kitchen for her husband Johnny (Phillip Merriman) to come home, so she can make him a cocktail before serving up a homemade dinner. Great Scott! We’ve landed in some sort of 1950s utopian version of British suburbia. Or have we?
Interview: Willie Armstrong of RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe
March 27, 2025
March 27, 2025
Feel the Red Hot Chilli Pipers' heat and experience 'bagrock' for yourself in Ottawa on April 1st
Review: Sock 'n' Buskin's THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY at Kailash Mital Theatre
March 25, 2025
March 25, 2025
What did our critic think of THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY at Kailash Mital Theatre?
Review: Three Sisters Theatre Company's SILENT SKY at The Gladstone Theatre
March 23, 2025
March 23, 2025
What did our critic think of SILENT SKY at The Gladstone Theatre?
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