Ordinary Days portrays four New Yorkers whose lives intersect by chance: Claire and Jason, a young couple uncertain about taking their relationship to the next level; Deb, a grad student; and Warren, a struggling but obstinately optimistic artist. When Deb loses her most precious possession, the notes for her thesis, a chain of events begins that touches all of their lives. As we follow the four of them in their daily lives, we see that the most ordinary days sometimes hold extraordinary meaning. Told entirely in song, this story shows the power of human connections in even the biggest and most impersonal of cities.
See Ordinary Days at the GCTC from October 31 to November 19, 2017.
Check out the books and movies below to explore the themes and setting of Ordinary Days.
GCTC 2017-2018: Ordinary Daysby RH_library
As part of the Ottawa Public Library's “Stages and Pages” partnership with the Great Canadian Theatre Company, we have compiled this list to accompany the production of Ordinary Days, which opens at the GCTC on October 31, 2017.
Ceinwen Reilly, newly arrived in New York City, finds friendship, romance, and maybe even true love as she embarks on a quest to uncover a long-lost silent film. Quirky characters and fast-paced dialogue make this a screwball comedy worthy of the films it pays homage to.
On New Year’s Eve, 1984, 85-year-old Lillian walks through Manhattan, encountering a diverse range of New Yorkers, all the while reminiscing about her long life in the city. Also available in large print, e-book, audiobook CD and downloadable audiobook format.
Best way to meet your neighbours? Walk the dog. Egged on by their pets, the inhabitants of one city block in Manhattan learn to reach out, make friends, and even fall in love. Published in French as Rencontres a Manhattan
A sharp social satire revolving around myriad characters who are connected by their desire to live in the beyond-fashionable address of One Fifth Avenue. All’s fair in real estate! Also available in Large Print and audiobook cd format. Published in French as Cinquieme Avenue
Katie up and Down the Hall
The True Story of How One Dog Turned Five Neighbors Into A FamilyJournalist Plaskin tells the story of his cocker spaniel Katie, who spurred him to get to know the other residents of his Manhattan apartment building. Katie’s charm eventually turned a building of strangers into an urban family. Also available in large print format
Like Jason and Claire, fall in love with New York (and each other?) by exploring this list of Top Ten New York City experiences.
A year’s worth of diary entries selected from 4 centuries of writing by famous and unknown diarists creates a fascinating mosaic of life in New York throughout the city’s history.
The inimitable Helene Hanff’s celebration of her life-long love for New York City.
