By the time Steve Budd leaves the stage at Ottawa’s Atelier Theatre on June 12, he’ll have already lived a dozen lives—at least for an hour. In his award-winning solo show Oy, What They Said About Love, Budd shapeshifts into a cast of characters drawn from real-life interviews, each with their own take on that most elusive of human pursuits: love.
Part of this year’s Ottawa Fringe Festival, Budd’s show is a deeply personal, laugh-out-loud exploration of romance, marriage, and the maddening mystery of why some people find “the one” while others (like Budd himself) are still searching. With a neurotic charm that’s unmistakably Jewish and universally relatable, Budd invites audiences into his quest for connection—one that’s as touching as it is side-splitting.
From a Jewish couple who met on Craigslist to an interfaith duo who found each other at a Halloween party, Budd brings their stories to life with uncanny precision and warmth. His performance is a blend of documentary theatre and personal storytelling, stitched together with wit, vulnerability, and a healthy dose of self-deprecation. It’s no wonder he’s twice been named Best of the San Francisco Fringe.
Ottawa audiences will have eight chances to catch the show between June 12 and 21 at the Arts Court’s Atelier Theatre. Each performance promises a fresh take on love’s absurdities and triumphs, delivered with Budd’s signature “manic and irrepressible charm”.
Whether you’re single, coupled, or somewhere in between, Oy, What They Said About Love is a must-see for anyone who’s ever wondered why love is so hard—and so worth it.
Tickets are just $14 (all proceeds go to the artist), with a required Fringe Pin available for purchase at the venue or online.
For more information, visit ottawafringe.com/show/oy-what-they-said-about-love and follow @ottawafringe #ottawafringe.
And if you see Steve after the show—maybe don’t ask if he’s found “the one” yet. He’s still working on it. Oy.
Tickets: $14 + fees • Click here to purchase tickets
Where: Atelier Theatre, 67 Nicholas Street
When: June 12–21 • Various evening showtimes
Ages 15+ • Mature language and content
Watch Steve Budd:
Header image: Cheshire Isaacs
