Ottawa Suite invites audiences into a vivid, time‑traveling celebration of the city’s musical soul. Created by award‑winning composer and saxophonist Rob Frayne and veteran actor‑writer Paul Rainville, this original production blends music, storytelling, and dance to reawaken three legendary Ottawa venues: the Trocadero, the Chaudière Club, and Le Hibou. Each space shaped a generation of artists, characters, and unforgettable nights, and the show brings their spirit back to life with warmth, humour, and a touch of whimsy.
An 11‑piece band, three singers, two actors, and three dancers guide the audience from the 1930s to the 1960s, weaving together Frayne’s original compositions with era‑defining standards and lively narration. Rather than traditional musical theatre, Ottawa Suite unfolds as an immersive, jazz‑infused mosaic—stories told by actors, music driving the action, and dancers embodying the styles of each era. At its heart, the production is a love letter to Ottawa’s rich and often overlooked cultural history. It honours the people and places that shaped the city’s artistic identity while showcasing Frayne’s inventive musical voice and Rainville’s storytelling craft. Ottawa Suite is both a tribute and a rediscovery—an invitation to step back in time and experience the rhythm of a city in full swing.
