Out and About
“It’s All Tru” – a new play about AIDS, by Buddies founder, Sky Gilbert
Kurt and Travis are a perfect gay couple – a young prince charming and a charming silver fox – whose marriage is threatened by the appearance of a sexy street boy named Gideon. Did Gideon have condomless sex with Travis? Did Gideon have permission? Did Travis take his PrEP?
The once a day PrEP pill (Truvada) has turned AIDS into a livable illness and makes it possible for gay men to have condomless sex without risk of infection. Paradoxically, the criminalization of HIV injects the reality of jail time into the lives of gay men. In the tradition of Sky Gilbert’s hit show I Have Aids!, IT’S ALL TRU, a provocative new work, takes on these contemporary issues in a darkly entertaining story steeped in sex, love, jealousy, and pharmaceuticals.
Playwright and Director, Sky Gilbert was the co-founder and Artistic Director of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre for 18 years, a tenure that included the construction and establishment of Buddies permanent home at 12 Alexander Street. IT\S ALL TRU stars Dora Award-winning David Coomber (RED/Canadian Stage) as Kurt, Caleb Olivieri (S h e e t s/Videofag 2016) as Gideon, and Tim Post (the film Enemy with Naomi Watts) as Travis.
“The plague they said would kill us all is now under control! Is there some reason why no one seems to want people to know about the effectiveness of PrEP? It’s a question that plagues me. And honestly, I’m very afraid of the answer.” Sky Gilbert
Toronto-based writer, performer and educator Thom Vernon will present looking at you, looking at me, a video installation to address HIV stigma. A community-building event will launch the month-long installation on Friday May 5, with a public forum in the Buddies Cabaret. As well, just prior to curtain of IT’S ALL TRU, members of the Steering Committee of AIDS ACTION NOW! will be speaking about the efforts to combat HIV criminalization.
The Cabaret Company presents IT’S ALL TRU-A play about AIDS
Written and Directed by Sky Gilbert
Starring David Coomber, Caleb Olivieri, Tim Post
Set Design by Denise Lisson | Costume Design by Elizabeth Traicus
Lighting Design by Oz Weaver
May 3-14, 2017 | Opening Night: Thursday, May 4, 2017
Wednesday to Saturday @ 8pm, Tickets $20-$39 and Sunday @ 2:30pm PWYC
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander Street, Toronto
Information and tickets or call the box office at 416 975 8555
About the Author
Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment, and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors, and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats. Reach out - bryen@thebuzzmag.ca