Stage Door News
Stage Door News
TORONTO, ON (November 12, 2014) “All Hail! The Red, Orange, and Pale!” From the UK to Victoria BC, audiences have lined up to join Shawn Hitchins and his Ginger Nation. Having debuted at Edinburgh to standing-room-only houses and unprecedented media coverage, the redheaded comedian returns this January to Buddies in Bad Times with his candid story of would-be fatherhood.
Hitchins’ fiery account as a sperm donor to a lesbian couple is hilarious and heartfelt. On his personal mission to repopulate the earth with redheads, he recounts memories from adolescence, brushes with celebrity, feats of masturbation, and discovers what it means to be ginger and proud.
In 2013, Hitchins made headlines around the world after parading hundreds of redheads through the streets of Scotland in protest against ‘gingerism’ (prejudice or discrimination against those with red hair). The UK’s First Ginger Pride Walk went viral and garnered the Canadian the most coverage in the recent history of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (Guardian, BBC, BBC World Service, CNN, Huffington Post, RTÉ...) and fostered a global conversation about the prevalent bullying of redheads.
Direct from the festival, Hitchins signed a unique development and production deal with dhx Media Halifax (Satisfaction, This Hours Has 22 Minutes) that will include a live concert filming of Ginger Nation for television. The comedian is currently busy writing a book of personal essays that expands on existing themes and stories found in his one-man show.
Ginger Nation was originally developed with the assistance of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, and initial workshop performances were presented in Toronto at The Flying Beaver Pubaret.
ABOUT SHAWN HITCHINS:
Shawn Hitchins is a Toronto-based comedian and writer who has toured North America and the UK, from Puerto Vallarta to Provincetown to Edinburgh. His solo shows play to sold-out audiences and garner rave reviews at various theatre and comedy festivals, including The Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Hitchins hosts events for The Luminato Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, and Singalonga UK. His hosting opportunities have brought collaborations with Ugly Betty’s Michael Urie, cabaret superstar Sharron Matthews and award-winning musical director Lance Horne. Hitchins is an alumnus of the International Cabaret Conference at Yale University and The Second City Conservatory Toronto.
shawnhitchins.com | jointhegingernation.com | @shawnhitchins #gingernation
SHAWN HITCHINS: GINGER NATION
4 SHOWS ONLY! JANUARY 22-24
(Thurs 22 & Fri 23, 8:00 PM)
(Sat 24, 5PM & 8PM)
Buddies In Bad Times
12 Alexander St.
Toronto, ON
Box Office: 416-975-8555 | $20
2014-11-12
Toronto: Shawn Hitchins performs "Ginger Nation" at Buddies in Bad Times January 22-24