New Life
This jazz-rock musical, set in 2010, is a story about a woman rebuilding herself and her family after her abusive husband dies. Her family of three adult kids—Alexandra (Alex), oldest; Robert (Robbie), middle child; Stephanie (Steph), youngest—and her minister each bring lots of baggage on this trip. The story is set partly in the country and partly in the city, which is about one-to-two hours away. The story tackles topics of intimate-partner abuse, child abuse, family dysfunction, alcoholism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, cultural differences between rural and urban life, tradition vs. change, personal growth, spiritual faith, and the Easter resurrection analogy.
Music, Lyrics, and Book by James McGowan
September 23-26, 2026 | The Gladstone Theatre
PRODUCTION TEAM
- Artistic Director: Joy Mwandemange
- Producer: Mathieu Charlebois
- Music Director: James McGowan
- Stage Manager: Troy Arsenian
- Set Designer: Nataly Kais
- Costume Designer: Jesse Kahat
- Lighting Designer: David Lagladry
- Sound Designer: John Rosefield
- Publicity Manager: Kenzie Barrera
- Assistant Stage Manager: Mal Ryan
- Production Assistant: Blaire Palmer
CAST
- Mom: Sutida (May) Turcot
- Alex: Maggie Wolfe
- Robbie: Adrien Pyke
- Steph: Samantha Brown
- Norah: Amelia Pelley
- Gerald: Euan Wheaton
- Bartender: Sam Dillon (Mildred, Wife Swing)
- Mildred: Sharon P. (Bartender Swing)
- Wife: Blaire Palmer
- Mom Understudy: Melodi Uygur
- Alex Understudy: Ashley Barnes
MUSICIANS
- Piano: James McGowan
- Guitar: Laetitia Lemieux
- Bass: JP Lapensée
- Drums: Jamie Holmes
- Violin: Cendrine Despax
- Reeds: Richard Page
A Little Death
Presented Through the Ottawa Fringe Festival
A one-woman show told through phone calls, voicemails, and songs. A story about love, power, and transformation, and the quiet violence of becoming someone new.
June 21 – 28, 2026 | 6 Performances
- June 21: 8pm
- June 22: 6pm
- June 24: 6:30
- June 25: 7pm
- June 27: 10pm
- June 28: 3pm
LabO Theatre | University of Ottawa – 60 Waller Street
Tickets Are $15 plus Tax with a Fringe Pin
General Admission
PRODUCTION TEAM
- Thandizo Joy: Writer & Director
- Jensen Grant: Musical Director
- Euan Wheaton: Co-Director & Dramaturg
- Shanice Pereira: Stage Manager
- Nataly Kais: Art Director
- Kay Vukelic: Choreographer
- Mercy Bueya: Production Assistant
- Farzad Sadeghi: Set Builder
CAST
- Thandizo Joy: Lead Actor
- Patrice ‘Dahni’ Xavier: Actor
- Klo E: Actor
- Canda-Leigh Habonimana: Voice Actor
- Damien Broomes: Voice Actor
- Ainslie Moors: Voice Actor
- Hilda Makonyola: Voice Actor
BAND
- Jensen Grant: Drums
- Mathieu Charlebois: Keys
- Szymon Szanćzuk: Bass
Bittersweet Lullaby
Originally presented as part of Suzart Productions’ 2022 Long Story Short Festival
Two struggling songwriters live in the same apartment decades apart. In one magical night, their voices connect through time and they begin a collaboration that leaves them forever changed.
Book by Will Lacker | Music and Lyrics by Dylan Glatthorn
Cast and Crew:
Joy Mwandemange (Director)
Sabrina Tang (Accompanist)
Itzy Kamil (Actor)
Tifanni Kenny (Actor)
Mathieu Charlebois (Producer)
Bittersweet Lullaby is presented through special arrangement with Suzart Productions and Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
Something About New York: A Musical
Originally presented as part of the virtual 2021 Ottawa Fringe Festival from June 17-27
Something About New York is the quirky, musical tale of an unconventional, queer love triangle. Alex is a government worker turned actor in search of her big break. Melissa is an ex-fiancé in search of revenge. Dylan is a recent graduate in search of an escape. They have all come from Ottawa to New York. Ironically, what they find is each other, but only two can win at love’s game… Who will it be?
The show follows a queer, young women on the road to self-discovery as she tries to balance her new life, a new love and the pursuit her dreams. However, her hopes are temporarily suspended when an ex-lover shows up unexpectedly.
Created by Mathieu Charlebois and Joy Mwandemange
Featuring:
Joy Mwandemange as Alex Raddatz
Ainslie Moors as Nicole Wilson
Maya Desrosiers as Melissa Faught
Mathieu Charlebois as Dylan Wilson
with Musicians:
Mathieu Charlebois (Piano)
Galen Cussion (Guitar)
Jason Sedlar (Drums)
Currently available on demand through LBMT | Streaming Passes are on sale for $15, $25, and $50 at the link below and will be sent to the buyer within 24 hours
Turning Back Time: Lost Baggage Launch Party Cabaret Show
“Turning Back Time” is a cabaret show, fundraiser, and launch party for Lost Baggage Musical Theatre. The show lasts about an hour and a half and has two acts which feature over ten local performers singing popular musical theatre numbers, some originals, and some cover songs. We will also have some baked goods/snacks for sale and a silent auction.
After the cabaret show, feel free to stay around, have another drink, and watch (or participate!) in some karaoke. The bar can remain open until midnight.
Lost Baggage Musical Theatre is set on making musical theatre more accessible to Orleans by providing the community with performance opportunities and quality, volunteer-based productions. However, putting on a production is quite a costly endeavour. This cabaret is a way of making our company known in the Ottawa theatre community, while also raising funds to mount our first production.
February 2, 2020 | 8pm
PERFORMANCES BY: Emily Asmar, Mona Beatrix, Mathieu Charlebois, Yang Chen, Maxim David, Joseph Moore, Aly Murphy, Joy Mwandemange, Hilary Peck, Lili Roussakis, Euan Wheaton, and more!
ACCOMPANIED BY: Galen Cussion, Rebecca Dunk, Steve Vesely, and Justine Walker
HOSTED BY: Morgan Coughlan
TICKETS: $15 in advance and $18 at the door
https://www.liveonelgin.com/products/backwards-broadway-turning-back-time
The Drunk Text: A Musical
Presented as part of the Ottawa Fringe Festival under Lost Baggage Musical Theatre’s original name, Miltonbone Productions
Tired of living the path set before him, Dylan leaves his family, life, and job in Ottawa and moves to New York to pursue his artistic ambitions. However, Dylan’s newfound freedom is soon derailed as one drunk text brings his past back to him.
Created by: Mathieu Charlebois, Samantha Clarke, and Nichole Perera
Featuring:
Emily Asmar as Nicole
Mathieu Charlebois as Dylan
Morgan Coughlan as Chaz
Sarah Cousineau as Melissa
with Musicians:
Coren Andrews (Bass Guitar)
Peter Mackechnie (Piano)
Justine Walker (Drums)
Venue: Academic Hall (University of Ottawa) – 135 Séraphin-Marion Private
Show Dates: June 14-24, 2018
– Thursday, June 14: 8-9pm
– Saturday, June 16: 11-12pm
– Sunday, June 17: 4:30-5:30pm
– Wednesday, June 20: 7-8pm
– Friday, June 22: 9-10pm
– Sunday, June 24: 5:30-6:30pm
Tickets are $12 (plus $3 Fringe Festival pin) and are available at the festival box office, at the door, and online: http://ottawafringe.com/shows/the-drunk-text/
