While our 2025 season has come to a close, we are already gearing up for our 2026 Theatre Under The Stars announcement. Our 40th season’s production will be unveiled on March 1st, 2026.

For our 39th season, we were thrilled to present the world premiere of a new play The Girl With No Hands.  This darkly comic fantasy follows a troubled young girl into a crumbling fantasy world where she is hailed as the saviour for a kingdom, while confronting her own demons.  Written and directed by Laurie Steven, this feminist tale is inspired by the classic Brother Grimm’s folktale “The Handless Maiden”.  This stunning production featured eight actors playing over 30 characters, brought to life through physical movement, neo-goth inspired masks and costumes, puppets, and original music and sound.
 

In the Spotlight: Media & Reviews

“This play is a truly magical evening in the park…strengthened by fine acting, amazing masks, beautiful costumes, and some very scary looking puppets.” – Bruce Burwell, apt613 (Full review)

“The Girl With No Hands is an ambitious project that showcases a strong female heroine who faces her demons and finds her own path without relying on a prince (or king) charming to “fix” her.” – Courtney Castelino, Broadway World Ottawa (Full review)

“An elaborate production…[with] masks, rendered more beautiful and complex than ever, an original sound score, fast scene and costume changes, excellent acting and solid dialogue.” – Erwin Dreessen (Full review)

The Girl With No Hands actors Valerie Buhagiar and Marlow Stainfield joined CTV Morning Live to discuss the show.

Check out Broadway World Ottawa‘s interview with The Girl With No Hands writer Laurie Steven, diving into her inspiration and the world of the production: Broadway World interview. 

Writer and director Laurie Steven spoke with CBC Radio’s All in a Day about The Girl With No Hands and her inspiration for the play: CBC interview.