Friday Special Blend
Friday February 27th, 2026 with Susan Johnston. Gianluca Petti. Micah Petti.
Good Intentions. Blood Relations. Gianluca's tunes.

Jack Stilborn joins us to talk about his novel, The Tyranny of Good Intentions. Robin Guy and Eleanor Crowder join us to talk about Blood Relations. "Volunteering for the greater good always comes with its own set of challenges. But for Andrew Walmer, the protagonist of The Tyranny of Good Intentions, those challenges may prove to be more than he bargained for. In this satirical novel, Andrew struggles to navigate love, death, and the cutthroat world of condominium politics. But Andrew's struggles don't stop there. He's contending with major life challenges — from a strained marriage to a potentially career-ending mistake. As he desperately tries to make his condo board effective enough to escape, he's constantly thwarted. And just when things seem to be looking up, a cascade of resignations and an untimely death keep him stuck in a position he never wanted — president of the board. As he tries to rebuild his personal life and save his career while also protecting his neighbours and his investment, he is haunted by a troubling question: if we can’t make small organizations work properly, what hope is there for bigger ones? Can Andrew unleash the courage to overcome these obstacles and finally find the peace and happiness he so desperately desires? With similarities in theme and tone to the Angus McLintock series by Terry Fallis and The Imposters by Tom Rachman, Stilborn treats serious issues with a leavening of delightful humour readers are sure to appreciate." About Blood Relations: Brought to you by the teams who produced Gladstone hits Steel Magnolias, Silent Sky, and No Way to Say Goodbye, Governor General Award winning Blood Relations will keep you on the edge of your seat! There’s no question why it won the Governor General’s Award. Previewing March 4, opening March 5 and running until March 14, this stunning production delivers delicious, spine-tingling intrigue. This riveting psychological murder mystery is based on the true story of Lizzie Borden, who may or may not have killed her own blood relations in Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1892. The murder remains unsolved. It is 1902. Lizzie Borden pours tea for a visitor, who is obsessed with finding out the truth: Did Lizzie Borden take an axe and murder her father and stepmother 10 years before, or didn’t she? A role-playing game ensues, with Lizzie painting the background of the murderous day, with characters appearing from both memory and fantasy to tell the story. Did she, or didn’t she? You’ll have to see the show to find out. An enthralling feast for the senses, Blood Relations offers the very best of your local indie theatre talents, with gorgeous costuming and scenic design, outstanding lighting effects, original music, and some of Ottawa’s top performers soaring through the wild and witty dialogue that is so characteristic of Sharon Pollock, award-winning Canadian playwright. Directed by Eleanor Crowder and stage managed by Chelsey Fawcett, the cast features a powerhouse of local Ottawa actors including William Beddoe, Tom Charlebois, Rachel Eugster, Robin Guy, Michelle LeBlanc, Sachi Lovatt, and Riley Stewart. And a special event! Saturday, March 7, 4:30-5:45 at The Gladstone Theatre Panel discussion with criminal justice experts and the Blood Relations cast!