Mixing history, comedy, and poignant reflection in equal measure, A Public Display of Affection, Jonathan Wilson’s deeply personal solo show, excavates the lives, loves, and landmarks of his queer youth on the streets of Toronto.

Deftly inhabiting a cavalcade of characters, Wilson 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.

"This play came into much sharper focus after I was asked to speak as a 'queer elder'. To speak of the past and my own lived experience as a teen on the streets of Toronto beginning in the late ‘70’s. To time travel with the audience.

I had an overwhelming desire to introduce my lost friends and pay tribute to their stories long untold. Plaques and memorials dot our landscape and when we speak of a “generation lost” we can forget that there are some still here to tell the tale.

Live theatre is a communal experience. And a very public display. Looking forward to sharing with much affection.” - Jonathan Wilson, writer & performer of A Public Display of Affection

Jonathan Wilson has had a long history of collaboration with Studio 180 Theatre. He has been a performer in productions such as My Night With Reg, The Normal Heart and Love, Dishonor, Marry, Die, Cherish, Perish, an IN DEVELOPMENT playwright and an Artist Educator in our IN CLASS program.

Wilson is also a Second City veteran and Dora Award-winning actor (seen in The Lion King, The Normal Heart, Gay for Pay with Blake & Clay). A Public Display of Affection is his bracing companion piece to his Dora-nominated, playwriting debut, My Own Private Oshawa.

A Public Display of Affection was first introduced to Studio 180 Theatre audiences in 2019, receiving several public readings through our IN DEVELOPMENT program as well as student readings as part of our IN CLASS program. Adult and youth audiences alike have been captivated by Jonathan's dynamic storytelling and poignant reflections.

In 2022, Studio 180 produced a filmed version of an early draft of the play. You can watch the trailer for the digital iteration of A Public Display of Affection below to get a sneak peak at what to expect. We are thrilled to finally be presenting the world premiere of Jonathan's completed play as our 2024/25 Mainstage production.

"Jonathan is a compelling performer and his funny, intimate and revealing solo show invites us to consider the storyteller in all of us. For many, its coming-of-age and coming out narrative is revelatory while others find in it an affirmation of their own personal exploration, growth, and desire for recognition.

We've been humbled by the profound reactions of audiences to readings of this work and after several years of development, we are thrilled to be finally be bringing Jonathan's vision to the stage with our production of A Public Display of Affection.” - Mark McGrinder, Director of A Public Display of Affection & Artistic Director of Studio 180 Theatre

For tickets visit www.crowstheatre.com.