Jess is an East coast transplant to Toronto who stumbled into her love of theatre via her social media gig at Ballyhoo Push Pin Media, and stumbled into review writing via an open call to cover the 2015 Fringe Festival for MoT. In addition to writing for MoT, she also blogs about dating, white supremacy, fat politics, theatre, graphic design, and sex at thejessgillis.blogspot.com. She’s a self-taught freelance graphic designer by trade, and a visual artist by passion. She sells and displays her wares at jessgillis.com. She’s passionate about laughter, anti-oppression, sex workers’ rights, body positivity, vegan food, cycling, good TV, and swimming. If you want to follow her foodie, nail art, and pet sitting posts, you can follow her on Instagram and Twitter @TheJessGillis
The LOT brings the classic musical love story to the Toronto stage
I had the pleasure of seeing the Lower Ossington Theatre‘s mounting of the classic musical West Side Story tonight. The LOT‘s version was an ambitious, lively take on a story I’d only ever seen on film and in print.
If you’re someone who managed to escape high school without having read the book, its premise is a “modern” (relative to its time) Romeo-and-Juliet tale of doomed love between two people from different — and racially divided — worlds.
This show has so much going for it: a great cast, amazing music, humour, and a fascinating story. To me it needs just a bit of attention to detail to really bring it home.
I got to see it this evening, and I wish I had better news to report. I’m still not entirely sure what to make this of this strange production about bubble-imbibing, hallucinating vinyl lovers.
Gavin Williams — whose intended improv buddy got called away on serious comedy duty — will be performing with a different “Plus One” from the audience each night. His partner — as well as various elements he must incorporate into the show — are mysteries to him until show time.
After seeing the hilariously honest, touching, and slightly risqué one-woman patriarchy-smashing show, I can understand why. The good news: you still have time to catch it!
The LOT brings the classic musical love story to the Toronto stage
I had the pleasure of seeing 
Backyard Spaceship’s 