Body So Fluorescent
April 13–23, 2023
“A play that is contemporary and necessary, challenging and provocative, and thrillingly innovative as a solo piece.”
— The Georgia Straight
a madonnanera, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, and b current production
What happened last night on the dance floor? Two friends retrace their steps from the night before to figure out how it all ended in an explosive fight, shifting from self to alter-ego in their effort to untangle the facts. Body So Fluorescent is an electrifying solo performance that asks difficult questions about Blackness, otherness, and appropriation.
Following a national tour, critical acclaim, and a short film adaptation, co-creators Amanda Cordner and David di Giovanni reimagine their hit show for the Buddies stage.
Read the digital programme here.
photo of Amanda Cordner by Dylan Mitro, styling by Cat Calica, hair and makeup by Robert Weir
graphic design by Awake Studio
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Tuesday, April 11 // 7:30PM (preview)*
Wednesday, April 12 // 7:30PM (preview)
Thursday, April 13 // 7:30PM (opening night)
Friday, April 14 // 7:30PM*
Saturday, April 15 // 7:30PM**
Sunday, April 16 // 2PM~
Tuesday, April 18 // 7:30PM
Wednesday, April 19 // 7:30PM
Thursday, April 20 // 7:30PM^
Friday, April 21 // 7:30PM
Saturday, April 22 // 7:30PM
Sunday, April 23 // 2PM
*Reduced Capacity Performances
**Black Out Night: Black Out Nights are designed to create an affinity space for Black community members to come together and engage with works by Black artists.
~Relaxed Performance
^Deaf-Interpreted Performance
The performance on Thursday, April 20 will be followed by a talkback moderated by Bilal Baig.
Amanda Cordner // playwright + performer
David di Giovanni // playwright + director
Rebecca Vandevelde // scenic + lighting design
Steven Bowa // composition + sound design
Lisa Sciannella // stage manager
Sanjina Dabish Queen + Kenya Rami // drag performers
madonnanera w/ Rachel Forbes // costume design
Press from prior engagements:
“Cordner’s performance is a sheer force of power. I have, honestly, never seen anything like it.”
Lorenzo Pagnotta, My Entertainment World
“The script holds nothing back—though the characters seem to wish it would.”
Mae Smith, alt.theatre
“Body So Fluorescent is brilliant. The show is ferocious and moving.”
Bruce McCulloch, Kids in the Hall
“Body So Fluorescent is poetic, heartbreaking, and insightful.”
Andrea Warner, Georgia Straight
madonnanera is an artistic collaboration invested in creating outrageous and intersectional new work. First developed as a 25 minute piece for the Rhubarb Festival in 2016, Body So Fluorescent has gone on to tour in Calgary, Stratford, and North Carolina. Body So Fluorescent was produced at the SummerWorks Festival in 2018, and received Now Magazine’s Best of the Fest in Outstanding play, direction, production, performance. Body So Fluorescent has since been turned into a short film, and premiered at the 2020 InsideOut LGBT Film Festival, and won Outstanding Canadian Artist. madonnanera’s second show WRING THE ROSES played as part of Why Not Theatre’s RISER Project in 2019, and was nominated for Outstanding Ensemble at the Dora Mavor Moore awards.
b current Performing Arts is a hotbed for culturally-rooted theatre development in Toronto. Originally founded as a place for Black artists to create, nurture, and present their new works, our company has grown to support artists from all diasporas. Over three decades, b current has created space for intersectional voices to be heard, always with a focus on engaging the communities from which their stories emerge. As a result, these communities trust the company and respect the work that it does. Whether audiences identify with the work through ethnic experience, social values, or political awareness, these groups are loyal to the programming because they recognize the high level of cultural authenticity and integrity fostered in its artists and their works.
Show Guide: Our show guide is for anyone to use, but was specifically designed with our neurodivergent and autistic patrons in mind, so folks can know what to expect when attending Body So Fluorescent at Buddies. You can read the show guide here.
Reduced Capacity Performances – April 11 + 14 at 7:30pm: These smaller-capacity performances (50% of our usual house capacity) are scheduled with immuno-compromised audience members in mind, as well as those who do not yet feel comfortable in a full theatre. Note: proof of vaccination is no longer required for these performances.
Relaxed performance – Sunday, April 16 at 2:00pm: Relaxed Performances are designed to welcome audience members who will benefit from a more relaxed performance environment, including house lights being left on at a low level, more freedom to come and go from the space, and an alternate space to take a break from the show if needed.
Deaf-interpreted performance – Thursday, April 20 at 7:30pm
This performance will feature ASL interpretation by Deaf interpreter Natasha “Courage” Bacchus. Use promo code ASL5 at checkout to access $5 tickets. This performance will be followed by a talkback with Bilal Baig.
Black Out Night – Saturday, April 15 at 7:30pm: Black Out Nights are designed to create an affinity space for Black community members to come together and engage with works by Black artists. The performance on April 15 is an intentional invitation to Black community members to experience Body So Fluorescent together, followed by a talkback moderated by Sid Malcolm.
Advance tickets can be booked online, with PWYC tickets available at the door. Use promo code BLACKOUT at checkout for $5 tickets.
Black Out night are inspired by the Black Out event created for Jeremy O Harris’ Slave Play in 2019, and have happened at theatres in Toronto any beyond over the past couple of years.
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Dates & Times
Previews
April 11+12
7:30PM
Show Run
April 13-23
Tue-Sat 7:30PM
Sun 2PM
Tickets
$10/$25/$40/$70
For each of our mainstage shows this season, we’re offering tickets at a range of price points, though seating is general admission, and every seat is just as good as the next. If cost is a barrier, this is your chance to get an affordable ticket. If you are able to pay more, this is your change to increase your support for the work onstage and ensure it stays affordable for those who need it.
Covid Safety
Please note that we continue to ask all patrons, artists, and staff to mask while in the space.
Get more information on our COVID safety measures.
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