Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Canada's first trans stand-up comedian Mandy Goodhandy produces and stars in "Tranny: A Musical Comedy", a journey of one of Canada's early transsexuals and the provocative and comedic paths she has taken as trans issues move even more prominently into pop culture and through the legal system.
This production covers every sexuality and gender imaginable. "More categories than Facebook even offers," says Goodhandy, who is 61. It muses on the lighter side of relationships: "Everything from bar hookups, online hookups and hooker hookups," says Goodhandy. This musical comedy also tackles Canada's current sex-trade laws with the song, "I Work On The Street Where You Live".
The performance also probes Goodhandy's childhood "denial years" when she was a male. When she played Linus in "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown," she recalls how "I always wanted to play Lucy. Ironically, later in life I went on to open a bar, Club120, where I play Lucy in real life and dispense advice for $9 Martinis." Goodhandy is also the co-owner of 120 Diner, which aside from serving up delicious comfort food, is also a venue for several comedy club nights.
Her other past "male" theatrical performances include the role of Harry Beaton in Brigadoon and she was a male stripper at Toronto's iconic Zanzibar back when they had men performing downstairs.
Long before transsexuals hit the mainstream in shows like Orange is the New Black and the award-wining Transparent, Goodhandy was breaking new ground as the first trans person to refuse to participate in the Canadian census, claiming she would not participate in any survey Government run or otherwise. that did not include or recognize trans people. She also organized the very first North American Trans Woman beauty pageant named "Miss Shemale World", a onetime only event, held in Toronto, Canada, to bring attention to the fact that trans women existed and needed to be recognized.
"Tranny: A Musical Comedy" is the comedic life of Mandy Gooodhandy where she pokes holes at the serious, the sublime and the sexual. "Let's face it," says Goodhandy, "I've poked a lot of holes."
ABOUT MANDY
Mandy Goodhandy is a transsexual entertainer, comedian, nightlife personality, entrepreneur, and activist. She co-owns and operates a Toronto nightclub named Club120, formally known as Goodhandy's Nightclub. She was Grand Marshal for Toronto’s Pride 2010 parade, along with her business partner Todd Klinck, at that time, receiving the theme award that year "You Belong" at the annual awards banquet. She is an active supporter of AIDS Committee of Toronto and many other local charities and fundraisers, hosting and producing an annual fundraiser "Where's the Love?", which has raised more than $15,000 to date. She is a vocal advocate for the decriminalization of sex work. She has been living as a trans woman for over 15 years.
SHOW DATES & TIMES
Tranny: A Musical Comedy
Thursday March 26th, Friday March 27th & Saturday March 28th - 8:00pm
Buddies in bad Times Theatre
12 Alexander Street | Toronto | M4Y 1B4
Box Office: 416-975-8555
Photo: Mandy Goodhandy.
2015-03-04
Toronto: "Tranny: A Musical Comedy" plays at Buddies in Bad Times March 26-28