From Tuesday, March 25 to Sunday, April 20, 2025 – Studio 180 Theatre, in association with Crow’s Theatre, presents the world premiere of A Public Display of Affection, created and performed by Second City veteran and Dora Award-winning actor/playwright Jonathan Wilson, and directed by Studio 180 Artistic Director Mark McGrinder, in the Crow’s Theatre Studio Theatre.
A personal memory tour of Toronto’s Village + reflections on legacy
A bracing companion piece to Wilson’s Dora-nominated My Own Private Oshawa – mixing history, comedy and poignant reflection in equal measure – A Public Display of Affection excavates the lives, loves and landmarks of Wilson’s life as a queer teenager in Toronto. Deftly inhabiting a cavalcade of characters, he leads us on a wry and intimate exploration of the Village he once knew, the legacy it created, and the future being forged by a new generation.
“In A Public Display of Affection, I’m taking the audience on a highlights tour of Toronto, circa 1979 when I first arrived here at age fifteen. We’ll talk about what has changed, what has been lost, and what has endured. I’ll also unpack what it means to be a ‘queer elder’ – the humour of that, and the idea of being this supposedly wise person in the community when I’m still changing myself. I believe that all theatre is truly a public display of affection, a communal coming together, in a trusting and vulnerable space. I want this experience to be more than just a play – it’s a meeting place, and a celebration.”
– Jonathan Wilson, playwright & performer
(Photo credits: Jonathan Wilson. Studio 180 Theatre | Crow’s Theatre. Photo by Sam Moffatt.)
The Studio 180 Community Partner for A Public Display of Affection is the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT), who will co-present two Beyond the Stage post-show events: March 30, with Rui Pires of ACT, and a youth panel on April 5. There will also be a lobby art exhibit on display during the run curated and co-presented by The ArQuives, called The View from Vaseline Tower – Memories of Toronto’s Queer Village.
“This is such a pure piece of storytelling. Jonathan is a gifted comedic storyteller, and the opportunity to share something so intimate and direct with an audience is really what theatre is all about. I love that the play functions as different things for different audiences. For some, its coming-of-age and coming out narrative is a startling history of a Toronto they know nothing about. For others, it’s a potent affirmation of their own lived experience. But whatever your perspective, you can’t help but be drawn in by Jonathan and the stories he tells.”
– Mark McGrinder, director & Artistic Director, Studio 180 Theatre
About Studio 180 Theatre
Studio 180 Theatre is a Toronto-based company with a commitment to theatre that sparks compelling conversations onstage, in the classroom and in the community. Since 2002, Studio 180 Theatre has evolved from an informal artistic collective into one of Toronto’s most respected independent professional theatre companies, expanding to include a strong new play development program and an extensive IN CLASS workshop program, which engages with 2,000 students annually. Indecent, Four Minutes Twelve Seconds, The Chinese Lady, The Laramie Project, Stuff Happens, Our Class, Clybourne Park, The Normal Heart, The Nether and Oslo are among the many plays Studio 180 has produced in the past 21 years.
About Crow’s Theatre
For 40 years, Crow’s Theatre has been a leading force in the Canadian theatre landscape, recognized for its provocative and award-winning theatre work. Crow’s Theatre is distinguished as a preeminent cultural organization for its far-reaching imagination, cultural exchange, and grassroots belief that the arts are essential to healthy and thriving communities. Recent celebrated productions include Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, The Master Plan, Uncle Vanya, Fifteen Dogs and As You Like It: A Radical Retelling by Cliff Cardinal.
(Photo credits: Jonathan Wilson. Studio 180 Theatre | Crow’s Theatre. Photo by Kevin Connery.)
Event details
Hosted by: Studio 180 Theatre, in association with Crow’s Theatre
Type of event: solo theatre performance
Written & performed by: Jonathan Wilson
Directed by: Mark McGrinder
Dates:
- Tuesday, March 25 – Sunday, April 20, 2025.
- Masks are mandatory at the Sunday, April 6 matinée performance.
- Community Partner, the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT), will co-present two Beyond the Stage post-show events:
- Sunday, March 30, with Rui Pires of ACT,
- and a youth panel on Saturday, April 5.
- There will be talkbacks with the cast and creative team following the performances on Thursdays April 3, 10 and 17.
Start times:
- Tuesday – Saturday evenings @ 8:00 PM ET
- Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday matinées @ 2:00 PM ET
Duration: approx. 80 minutes (no intermission)
Cost: There are pricing options throughout the run for students, arts workers, under-30 and premium reserved seating add-on, plus limited Pay-What-You-Can tickets available on Sunday matinées. Fees & HST will apply.
- Regular: C$55.00 – $90.00
- Arts worker: C$30.00
- Pay-What-You-Can: Limited PWYC tickets are available for Sunday matinées. Tickets will be available in person only at the Crow’s Theatre Box Office, starting at noon.
Location: Streetcar Crowsnest, Studio Theatre, 345 Carlaw Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4M 2T1
Trailer: Watch the interview with playwright/performer Jonanthan Wilson and director Mark McGrinder.
Booking link: Book your tickets here. Crow’s Theatre Box Office: online at crowstheatre.com. By phone: 647-341-7390 (Monday to Friday from 12:00 PM ET to 5:00 PM ET). In person: In the lobby at 345 Carlaw Avenue one hour and 30 minutes prior to each performance. By email: boxoffice@crowstheatre.com
Contact Details: Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4M 2T1, Canada; Box office: 647-341-7390 ext. 1010; boxoffice@crowstheatre.com, crowstheatre.com
Content warning: For audiences 14+. Strong language, including homophobic slurs, and discussion of mature and violent themes. If you require more information, please email jessica@studio180theatre.com
Accessibility: Streetcar Crowsnest accessibility info here.
COVID-19 policy: Masks are mandatory at the Sunday, April 6 matinée performance.
Refund policy: Box office and ticket info here.