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: MAURITIUS at Kanata Theatre
February 9, 2024
February 9, 2024
What did our critic think of MAURITIUS at Kanata Theatre?
Review: The National Ballet of Canada's EMMA BOVARY, ANGELS' ATLAS at the National Arts Centre
February 2, 2024
February 2, 2024
What did our critic think of EMMA BOVARY, ANGELS’ ATLAS at National Arts Centre?
Review: Ottawa Musicals' SLEEPING BEAUTY: AN ANNUAL PANTO at The Gladstone Theatre
January 1, 2024
January 1, 2024
What did our critic think of SLEEPING BEAUTY - AN ANNUAL PANTO at The Gladstone Theatre?
Review: AIN'T TOO PROUD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS at Ottawa's National Arts Centre
December 27, 2023
December 27, 2023
What did our critic think of AIN'T TOO PROUD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS at National Arts Centre?
Interview: Jalen Harris of AIN'T TOO PROUD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS at Ottawa's National Arts Centre
December 17, 2023
December 17, 2023
Don't miss Jalen Harris as Eddie Kendricks in Broadway Across Canada's presentation of Ain't Too Proud from December 26th through December 31st.
Review: PRISON DANCER THE MUSICAL at Ottawa's National Arts Centre
November 26, 2023
November 26, 2023
What did our critic think of PRISON DANCER THE MUSICAL at Ottawa's National Arts Centre?
Review: Orpheus Musical Theatre's Production of MARY POPPINS
November 22, 2023
November 22, 2023
What did our critic think of MARY POPPINS at Orpheus Musical Theatre's Production Of?
Review: Broadway Across Canada's Presentation of HAIRSPRAY at the National Arts Centre
November 17, 2023
November 17, 2023
The audience at the opening night performance of Broadway Across Canada’s presentation of Hairspray was buzzing with excitement. There seemed to be more people than usual for a Tuesday night performance, maybe because Hairspray has widespread appeal or maybe just because it is the first show of the new season. Hairspray tells the story of Tracy Turnblad (Caroline Eiseman) a big girl, with big dreams, and an even bigger heart.
Interview: Skyler Shields of HAIRSPRAY at National Arts Centre
November 12, 2023
November 12, 2023
I recently had the opportunity to speak with Skyler Shields, who plays Link Larkin in Broadway Across Canada’s upcoming presentation of Hairspray in Ottawa. Shields shared some thoughts on the tour, the musical’s overarching themes, and how the script has evolved over time.
Review: Kanata Theatre's Production of TWELFTH NIGHT
November 10, 2023
November 10, 2023
What did our critic think of Kanata Theatre's production of TWELFTH NIGHT?
Review: TotoToo Theatre's TICK, TICK... BOOM! at The Gladstone Theatre
October 29, 2023
October 29, 2023
What did our critic think of TOTOTOO THEATRE'S TICK, TICK... BOOM! at The Gladstone Theatre?
Review: JUNGLE BOOK REIMAGINED at Ottawa's National Arts Centre
October 21, 2023
October 21, 2023
What did our critic think of JUNGLE BOOK REIMAGINED at National Arts Centre?
Review: Paper Moon Theatre's SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET
October 10, 2023
October 10, 2023
What did our critic think of SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET at Paper Moon Theatre's?
Review: Ovation Productions' CABARET at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe
October 1, 2023
October 1, 2023
What did our critic think of CABARET at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe?
Review: THE SUPINE COBBLER at Great Canadian Theatre Company
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2023
What did our critic think of THE SUPINE COBBLER at Great Canadian Theatre Company?
Review: THE BOOK OF WILL At Ottawa Little Theatre
September 25, 2023
September 25, 2023
What did our critic think of THE BOOK OF WILL at Ottawa Little Theatre?
Review: Kanata Theatre's GLORIOUS!: THE TRUE STORY OF FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS, THE WORST SINGER IN THE WORLD
September 22, 2023
September 22, 2023
What did our critic think of GLORIOUS!: THE TRUE STORY OF FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS, THE WORST SINGER IN THE WORLD at Kanata Theatre? The extraordinarily long title is a sly nod to the flamboyant nature of its subject, whose incredible true story forms the basis of the show. Jenkins was a New York socialite who gave a multitude of recitals benefitting the many charities and clubs she spearheaded.
Review: WIDE AWAKE HEARTS at The Gladstone in Ottawa
August 24, 2023
August 24, 2023
What did our critic think of WIDE AWAKE HEARTS at The Gladstone? The Gladstone’s 2023-2024 season opened last night with WOW Factory’s presentation of Wide Awake Hearts, directed by Peter James Haworth. Penned by Canadian playwright, Brendan Gall, the show’s tag line states that it is “[a] nightmare. About a Film. About Love.” This sums it up quite accurately.
Review: Broadway Across Canada's Presentation of HADESTOWN at Ottawa's National Arts Centre
August 23, 2023
August 23, 2023
What did our critic think of HADESTOWN at National Arts Centre? Broadway Across Canada’s presentation of the Tony- and Grammy-award winning Hadestown, pulled into the National Arts Centre last night after a seven-week residency in Toronto.
Review: CRIMES OF THE HEART at Ottawa Little Theatre
August 19, 2023
August 19, 2023
What did our critic think of CRIMES OF THE HEART at Ottawa Little Theatre?
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