Buddies in Bad Times Theatre Commemorative Plaque, 2018
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Resource ID
5325
Access
Open
Address
12 Alexander Street, Toronto, ON M4Y 1B4
Credit Line
Heritage Toronto
Date of Creation
2018
Historical Themes
Entertainment and Leisure, LGBTQ*, Performing Arts
Program Category
Plaques
Rights
Heritage Toronto
Time Period
1954-1998
Caption
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre Commemorative Plaque, 2018
Description
Buddies in Bad Times is the largest and longest-running queer theatre company in North America.
Founded by Sky Gilbert, Jerry Ciccoritti, and Matt Walsh, it staged its first play, Angels in Underwear (1979), in a former brewery on Queen Street East. Early theatrical success included Gilbert’s plays Lana Turner Has Collapsed! (1980) and the controversial Drag Queens on Trial (1985), and Sonny Mills’ Dyke City series (1994-98).
At first without a permanent home, Buddies staged its plays in many locations. In 1991, it moved to 142 George Street, which was home to the theatre’s infamous alternative events, including its dungeon nights and female ejaculation pyjama parties. Despite attempts to have its funding revoked on moral grounds, Buddies moved to this newly-renovated building at 12 Alexander Street in 1994.
Buddies in Bad Times has won multiple Dora Mavor Moore Awards, Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for the Arts, and a Michael Lynch Award for Queer History. Today, it is an international leader in the development of queer voices and stories for the stage.
Marker lat / long: 43.663094, -79.382964 (WGS84)