90’s Icons, Indie Rockers, World Class Dancers and Illusionists Take the Stage at Centrepointe Theatre

_ (press release) _ If Buzzfeed’s six billion monthly content views prove anything, it’s that we are more obsessed with nostalgia than ever before. In an age where entertainment comes on demand, audiences feel like something’s missing – something real. To shake off those screen-time blues and give audiences that “real time” they’re longing for, Centrepointe Theatres announces a season that invites Ottawa to bring back the good ol’ days. Grab a friend, treat a sweetheart or start a new tradition with the family and see a live show. The 2016-2017 lineup is full of comedy, variety, music and family acts that remind us all why going out trumps staying in, every time.

The jury is still out when it comes to vinyl versus digital recordings, but we know that nothing can replace watching a musician play live. If you long for the music you discovered way back when, look no further than the Centrepointe mainstage, which will feature ‘90s folk sweetheart ** Lisa Loeb ** , performing her latest album _ No Fairy Tale _ alongside her early hits like “Stay” and indie rockers ** Tokyo Police Club ** who bring their just-released album, _ Melon Collie and the Infinite Radness - _ a reference to the Smashing Pumpkins’ diamond-selling album that went head-to-head with Loeb’s single twenty years ago.

Looking for a laugh that isn’t online? Beloved Canadian icon ** Shaun Majumder ** ’s home-grown talent is familiar to Canucks coast to coast from his schtick on _ This Hour Has 22 Minutes. _ ** The Debaters ** return with their popular CBC radio show for another hilarious live taping. Ottawa already fell in love with ** Gregg Rogell ** when he opened for Russell Peters’ _ Almost Famous World Tour _ last year and he’s back with his very own rowdy routine.

For fans of the bright lights and big numbers, there’s ** Forbidden Broadway ** , a glitzy spectacle that reimagines showstoppers from _ The Lion King _ to _ Les Miz _ with just the right touch of kitsch. ** MURRAY: Celebrity Magician ** became a household name after making a red Ferrari appear out of thin air on _ America’s Got Talent _ . The ** I.aM.mE Dance Crew ** infiltrated social media after they dominated _ America’s Best Dance Crew _ and _ So You Think You Can Dance _ with their astounding hip-hop choreography.

HBO darling and Second City alumna Anne Marie Scheffler has a gift for finding the humour in everyday situations. New moms fell in love with this comedienne-turned-mom during her one-hour Comedy Network special and will love to see her on stage in ** Suddenly Mommy ** , bringing the honest - and hilarious - truths about motherhood to the stage.

After finding the humour in diapers and drool, children of the ‘90s-turned-moms will love reliving their heydays with ** Sing Along with Lisa Loeb ** . An afternoon of childhood favourites, camp songs, and original

Lisa Loeb creations will have kids of all ages singing about Disappointing Pancakes for days. Getting the family into the holiday spirit has never been sweeter than at ** Max & Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite ** ’s two shows this December. Mo Willems has captivated the juice box set with his series of _ Elephant & Piggie _ books for years, and now they’re coming to life! ** Elephant and Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” ** brings these two beloved characters to the stage for an hour-long presentation that will captivate kids and make new memories for the whole family. Isn’t that what looking back is all about? ** Ticket Details ** ** Front + Centre member pre-sale: ** May 3, 2016 (10 a.m.) - May 13, 2016 ** Public On Sale: ** May 13, 2016 (10 a.m.)

Tickets are available by phone, online, or in person at our box office locations. For details please visit www.centrepointetheatres.com or call the box office at 613-580-2700.

Patrons wanting to see four or more shows can get the most out of the new season by bundling tickets to four different performances for $5 off each regular-price ticket. Anyone can start shaping a Flex Package: just choose shows à la carte from our Mainstage line-up and get the discount automatically when the purchase includes four or more different performances. ** About Centrepointe Theatres: ** Established in 1988, City of Ottawa-owned and operated Centrepointe Theatres boasts a 954-seat mainstage theatre and a 199-seat studio theatre that opened in 2010. Centrepointe Theatres Presents brings roughly 20 shows per season to Ottawa’s west end. Commercial productions and community presenters round out the rest of the calendar year. The presenting series introduces a broad range of performances, supporting both up-and-coming artists and popular productions to suit audiences of all tastes and ages. Focusing on music, family, comedy and variety shows, patrons can join the Front + Centre membership program for the best seats, best deals and best perks on offer.

For further information on any of these presentations, please refer to the accompanying 2016-2017 Season Backgrounder. Images and videos are available.