Bootycandy | A Buddies and Obsidian Theatre Company production

Two of Toronto’s most vital theatrical institutions—Obsidian Theatre Company and Buddies in Bad Times Theatre—join forces this autumn to present the Toronto premiere of Robert O’Hara’s acclaimed satirical work, *Bootycandy*. Directed by Jay Northcott, this kaleidoscopic comedy tracks the semi-autobiographical journey of Sutter, a young gay Black man navigating church politics, familial hypocrisy, romance, and artistic self-realization.

Subversive Satire Meets Intimate Storytelling O’Hara’s script is structured as a series of interconnected sketches that veer from slapstick absurdism—such as a reverend preaching in high heels and an excruciating destination breakup—to piercing, vulnerable examinations of racial and sexual identity. Rather than offering tidy moral lessons, *Bootycandy* revels in the messy contradictions of desire and community, making it one of the defining works of modern queer Black playwriting.

Under Northcott’s direction, the ensemble cast—featuring Helen Belay, Kyle Brown, Meghan Swaby, Christopher Allen, and Dan Mousseau—takes on multiple roles across shifting timelines and spaces. The production features atmospheric design work by Nick Blais, Arianna Moodie, Darren Shaen, and composer David Ariza, transforming the Alexander Street stage into a dynamic container for O'Hara's sharp-witted narrative.

The Venue & Neighbourhood Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander Street) sits in the heart of Church-Wellesley Village, just a short walk east of Wellesley subway station. The venue has anchored Toronto's queer performing arts community for decades and features a lively lobby bar where patrons can linger before curtain and post-show. For dinner before the performance, the neighbourhood offers great neighbourhood staples along Church Street, from casual izakaya bites to classic bistro fare.