The Reading Salon
![A Map Of Rain Days cover image](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/A-Map-Of-Rain-Days-cover-image-225x300.jpg)
A Map Of Rain Days
The first poem in this collection, and certainly one of its most poignant, is "I ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0425-225x300.jpg)
Winter Kept Us Warm
Published by McGill-Queen's University Press, the book tells the story of a senior student mentoring ...
![GOD DAMNED AVALON](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/GOD-DAMNED-AVALON.jpg)
God Damned Avalon
God Damned Avalon is a collection of super-charged flash fiction from word artist Paul Edward ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2024-05-29-at-1.41.59-PM-269x300.png)
petite girl precious heart
I first met Christie Maragos at the Art Bar at the Free Times Cafe near ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0188.jpg)
The Anatomy of Depression
Originally published in the 2024 summer print edition of Broken Pencil Magazine. “So often, I’ve ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_5157-225x300.jpg)
Beached Whales
Beached Whales by Stedmond Pardy Stedmond Pardy is a self educated, left handed poet of ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2024-02-28-at-8.42.26-AM-300x244.png)
We Atomkinder
Through genuine and succinct prose, Pascal Beer establishes a distinct voice that will resonate will ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_5102-300x300.jpg)
The Sulphur Springs Cure
As I delved into Jeffrey Round’s latest work, I initially planned a measured approach, intending ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_4858-300x300.jpg)
I Am Your Spaniel, Or, A Midsummer Nights Dream By William Shakespeare By Gislina Patterson
We Quit Theatre takes over the Cabaret space with a collection of three works, including ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Natasha-Pierre-The-Great-Comet-of-1812-300x300.jpg)
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
What starts out as choreographed chaos—meant as a compliment—sets the stage for a spectacular show ...
![Shadow Maker, book cover](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Shadow-Maker-book-cover-300x300.jpg)
Shadow Maker, The Life of Gwendolyn MacEwen
A meticulously researched biography penned by Rosemary Sullivan, an accomplished author, painter and scholar. MacEwen, ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_4485-300x300.jpg)
Angels In America (Part One & Two)
Immerse yourself in the transformative brilliance of Tony Kushner's seminal two-part play, Angels In America, ...
![“Monster + Here Lies Henry double bill](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Monster22-22Here-Lies-Henry22-double-bill-300x300.jpg)
DOUBLE BILL: “Monster” + “Here Lies Henry”
Monster opens in the profound silence of a cinema, broken by an audience member and ...
![Jono Pye in front of one of his larger abstract paintings.](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Jono-Pye-in-front-of-one-of-his-larger-abstract-paintings-300x220.png)
Jono Pye’s Digital Showcase
Rob Wilkes, of Big Sky Design, the creative genius behind the design of Jono Pye's ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_4126-300x300.jpg)
The Rocky Mountain Special
The Rocky Mountain Special, a captivating one-person play by Tiffany Thomas, unfolds the poignant journey ...
![Photo of Brad Pyne](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Photo-of-Brad-Pyne-300x300.jpg)
Defining Moments (Do I Have A Weird Penis?)
This review first appeared in the Fall 2023 issue of Broken Pencil Magazine, 100th issue ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-10-21-at-2.55.15-PM-300x116.png)
Public Poetry from a Peterborough Porch
Edited by Maria Crawford with event photos by Raymond Helkio. This past Thanksgiving long weekend, ...
![Velma, Virginie & Sir Greg](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Velma-Virginie-Sir-Greg-300x300.jpg)
Greg’s Cookies
Sky Gilbert’s latest theatre offering is the delicious Greg’s Cookies. While the the play’s program ...
![Jeffrey Round, Lion's Head Revisited book cover](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_3577-300x300.jpg)
Lion’s Head Revisited
Lion’s Head Revisited by Lambda award-winning author Jeffrey Round is an absorbing mystery fiction novel ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_3510-300x300.jpg)
refracting giants
Directed by Leelee Oluwatoyosi Eco Davis Produced and directed by Leelee Oluwatoyosi Eco Davis, “refracting ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Speaking-Of-Sneaking-Daniel-wearing-the-spider-costume-300x300.jpg)
Speaking Of Sneaking
Directed by d’bi.young anitaafrika Speaking Of Sneaking is conceived, performed and produced by daniel jelani ...
![Missing-From-The-Village-book-cover](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Missing-From-The-Village-book-cover-300x300.jpg)
Missing From The Village
An investigation of Bruce McArthur by Justin Ling. This review originally appeared on MyGayToronto.com. Graciously ...
![Friends, Lovers, and The Big Terrible Thing book cover](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Friends-Lovers-and-The-Big-Terrible-Thing-book-cover-1-300x300.jpg)
Friends, Lovers, and The Big Terrible Thing
A Memoir by Matthew Perry. This review originally appeared on MyGayToronto.com. Graciously edited by Maria ...
![Hello Molly by Molly Shannon](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_2755-300x300.jpg)
Hello Molly!
A memoir by Molly Shannon. I fully expected Molly Shannon’s memoir to Hello Molly! to ...
![Love & Gaslight by Vironika Wilde](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Love-Gaslight-by-Vironika-Wilde-300x300.jpg)
Love & Gaslight
by Vironika Wilde. Vironika Wilde is a is a poet, feminist, award-winning author, nomad, queer, ...
![Truth Telling by Michelle Good](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Truth-Telling-by-Michelle-Good-300x300.jpg)
Truth Telling
Seven Conversations About Indigenous Life In Canadaby Michelle Good. Whether you consider yourself a colonialist ...
![Next Time There's A Pandemic book cover](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-11-14-at-3.21.53-PM-300x300.png)
Vivek Shraya: Next Time There’s A Pandemic
We’ve had pandemics before this one, and by most accounts there will be another in ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Caught-in-the-Act-book-cover-courtosy-Pantera-Press.-187x300.jpg)
Courtney Act’s Autobiography
Note: Shane Jenek uses the pronouns he/him, his alter ego Courtney Act uses she/her. This ...
![Paul-Bellini-Film-Festival](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Paul-Bellini-Film-Festival-300x169.jpg)
Bergmanesque Double Feature
Ingmar Bergman and Paul Bellini both have a propensity for producing a large volume of ...
![Poster Art by Kirsten Johnson](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Poster-Art-by-Kirsten-Johnson-300x225.jpg)
Who’s Afraid Of Titus?
“Art is to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” -Cesar A. Cruz Sky regularly ...
![Bianca-Del-Rio-photo-by-Matt-Crockett](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Bianca-Del-Rio-photo-by-Matt-Crockett-200x300.jpg)
Around The Globe With Bianca Del Rio
If Joan Rivers and Elton John had offspring it’d probably look a lot like Bianca ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/88958475_615564489281225_4707482154408345600_o-300x225.jpg)
A Nice Day In The Park by Sky Gilbert
Sky Gilbert’s latest play “A Nice Day In The Park”, showcased for two nights at ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Jillian-Welsh-Nicole-Passmore-Christian-Smith-300x200.jpg)
Second City: solid, funny sketch comedy
Second City has consistently been putting on great shows in Toronto for 47 years, and ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2019-07-20-at-6.13.07-PM-1-300x182.png)
Diamonds on Plastic
Playwright Philip Cairns recent mounting of Diamonds on Plastic at the Hamilton Fringe Festival is ...
![Photo of Sky Gilbert](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Sky-Gilbert-300x225.jpg)
Hamilton Fringe Festival: Sky Gilbert + Philip Cairns
Toronto queer playwrights Sky Gilbert and Philip Cairnes are just two of the reasons Hamilton ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Sketch-Comedy-Extravaganza-Jun2019-1-300x200.jpg)
Extravaganza Eleganza: Funnier Than (Gay) Hell!
Funnier than gay hell (and believe me, a gay hell would be hysterical!) Extravaganza Eleganza ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/shove_it_down_my_throat-300x240.jpg)
Shove It Down My Throat – A Theme and Variations
Shove a couple of bus tokens into your pocket and go down to Buddies to ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/FullSizeRender-6-1-300x225.jpg)
Vivek Shraya: I’m Afraid Of Men
Sharp, thoughtful and to the point writing that paints a vivid portrait of Vivek’s Shraya’s ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2019-03-05-at-9.24.16-PM-296x300.png)
Irshad Manji, Don’t Label Me
“We rally for diversity of appearance but flake on diversity of viewpoint.” -Irshad Manji, Don’t ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2020-08-26-at-6.19.22-PM-300x200.png)
A Trouble of Queers: The Bricks and Glitter Cabaret
Questions answered by Brock Hessel, Vince Rozario, Kumari Giles, and Mikiki There’s always lots of ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2020-08-26-at-6.22.49-PM-300x284.png)
We Are Not Alone
The four-time Dora Award winner Damien Atkins has numerous credits to his name as a ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2020-08-26-at-6.24.40-PM-300x168.png)
The Waverly Gallery
Waverly Place is a little street that humbly leads from Greenwich Village, across 6th Avenue ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2018-12-17-at-6.37.26-AM-300x141.png)
The Tricky Part
Main photo by Joan Marcus. The Tricky Part written and performed by Martin Moran had ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/canoecrop-237x300.png)
Martin Moran: The Tricky Part
Main photo by Joan Marcus. The Tricky Part written and performed by Martin Moran had ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/wrong3-200x300.jpg)
The Play That Goes Wrong
Imagine Faulty Towers at its craziest. Then mix in broken props, collapsing scenery, forgotten lines, ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2018-11-24-at-1.32.15-PM-300x150.png)
Love Song To Lavender Menace
On the surface, Love Song To Lavender Menace is about the struggle for acceptance which ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2018-11-15-at-8.30.38-PM-1-300x181.png)
Sherry Vine, Joey Arias at The Laurie Beechman Theater
You really shouldn’t visit New York without trying to catch a Sherry Vine show. More ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2018-11-14-at-3.31.58-PM-1-300x180.png)
Love Labour’s Lost
This is not dinner theatre, it’s way better, it’s theatre dinner. When I hear the ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/ts3-300x200.jpg)
Trainspotting Live
First, there was the book, then the play, then the movie, and now tweaking at ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/george-a-morafetis-robert-maisonett-jed-peterson_orig-300x225.jpg)
Small Craft Warnings
Tennessee Williams wrote many notable plays but it’s his earlier works like The Glass Menagerie, ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/gertrudeandalice.jpeg)
Gertrude & Alice
The remount of Gertrude & Alice kicked off Buddies In Bad Times Theatre’s 40th season ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/cluster-300x169.jpg)
Cluster Fucked
What started out as a low-tech whimsical romp through a marketer's backroom quickly turned into ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/cheri-300x189.jpg)
CHERI: Theresa Tova Seduces!
From her off-stage opening line to her brilliant closing line at the piano, Theresa Tova ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/two-of-us-300x189.jpg)
The Two of Us
From acclaimed Croatian playwright Tena Štivicic and directed by the award-winning Svjetlana Jaklenec, The Two ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Lulu-v7-Sky-Gilbert-300x240-1.jpg)
LULU v.7: aspects of a femme fatale
About the He Said, He Said reviewers: Stewart Borden is film and theatre musician, culinary ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/loveandinfo-1024x682-1-300x200.jpg)
Love and Information
Let me give you an information tidbit: love and information is a crazy ride…. a ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/category-e-300x203.jpg)
A Five Star ‘Category E’ Hits Toronto!
Edmonton continues to birth artistic masterpieces and Category E is no exception. On until the ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/alone-together-300x171.png)
Dancing Alone Together
Originally published on theBUZZ Alone Together is a double bill consisting of There she was ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/i-cook-300x300.jpg)
I Cook, He Does The Dishes
Originally published through The BUZZ, April 3, 2018 Written and directed by Sky Gilbert, I ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/The_Monument_listings___Super_Portrait-300x300.jpg)
THE MONUMENT
If you’re looking for an Ed Mirvish happy fun musical theatre evening, The Monument is ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2017-11-16-at-11.50.41-AM-1024x530-1-300x155.png)
You Love That I’m Not Your Wife
“Black box theater in New York is an amazing experience but very so often productions ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/servlet-830x1024-1-243x300.png)
The House on Poe Street
When twin sisters inherit the house where Poe composed The Raven, their lives take twisted ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2017-11-08-at-8.07.20-AM-300x244-1.png)
The Box Show
The Box Show by Dominique Salerno and directed by Sash Bischoff is a clever, fast-paced ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/FullSizeRender-1-1-300x225-1.jpg)
Molly’s World?
Andrea Alton is magnificent as her alter ego “Molly ‘Equity’ Dykeman” in Molly’s World, a ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2017-10-01-at-9.20.26-PM-1024x683-1-300x200.png)
Street Theatre at The Eagle
The Eagle in New York City is a gay leather bar located in Chelsea. Normally ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Reading-Salon-4-1024x768-1-300x225.png)
Introducing Mr Wilde or Work is the Curse of the Drinking Class
Written and performed by Neil Titley, “Introducing Mr Wilde, or Work is the Curse of ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/29963489222_00a9d4e22d_z-300x200.jpg)
Street Children
Street Children by Pia Scala-Zankel is pure unadulterated street realness. Unsettling at times, Street Children ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/blindate.jpeg)
Blind Date: The Nose Knows
Blind Date is a raw, intimate and honest portrayal of what it means to put ...
![Sky Gilbert](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2016-07-16-at-10.46.53-PM.png-300x167.webp)
Sky Gilbert Does Toller Cranston (Again)
“The love that dare not speak its name has become the love that won’t shut ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/07-Virginia-Baeta-and-Andrea-Alton-in-Julie-Andrews-is-the-Devil-300x200-1.jpg)
Julie Andrews is the Devil
Julie Andrews is the Devil is a funny and charming love story about Tabitha, played ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/12805879_10156864317005370_3615240337232385036_n-300x300.jpg)
Lady Bunny in Trans-Jester!
Trans-Jester is a fitly, potty-mouthed, politically incorrect, mean spirited show and the most fun I've ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/i-will-look-forward-to-this-later-300x200.jpg)
I Will Look Forward To This Later
I Will Look Forward To This Later is the story of author Wyatt Holloway who ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Momento-espectaculo-FuerzaBruta-GETTY_TINIMA20111010_0729_5-300x300.jpg)
Fuerza Bruta
Seriously, WTF was that?! The Fuerza Bruta experience was like watching the MOMA have sex ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/house_rules_vv_745x420-300x300.jpg)
House Rules
A clever play about forgiveness, House Rules is a smartly layered story about two Filipino ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2019-07-14-at-10.17.57-PM-1-298x300.png)
Golden Boy by The Instigators
Golden Boy by Clifford Odets is about Joe Bonaparte whose gives up on his dream of becoming ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-1-1-300x300.png)
10 Reasons To See “A Broad Abroad”
(10) To hear her secret(s) to a happy life (9) Because you love Paris in ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Resized-400-Nate-Rollins-and-Shane-Allen-in-The-Heart-Attack-Eulone-Gooding-300x200-1.jpg)
Adults Only
#CoreAdultsOnly | Directed by Alex Correia, Adults Only is comprised of seven one-act plays by ...
Tea in the Afternoon
When Elizabeth, portrayed by the illustrious Tayler Beth Anderson, discovers that her grandmother has died ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Open-Clasp.org_.uk_-300x200.jpg)
Key Change
Key Change is a raw and illuminating portrayal of prison life created by inmates from ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-300x298-1.png)
39 Steps: Union Square Theatre
REVIEW | The Reading Salon, Raymond Helkio | The two-time Tony Award-winning 39 Steps is ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Image11-300x214-1.jpg)
It Runs In The Family
Pictured above: Larry Gutman, Michael Hardart* and Leonardo Altafini, photo by Bella Muccari. Set in ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/Gender5-300x200.jpg)
Gender: A Performance Project
Written by Cheryl King and Ashley Lauren Rogers, Gender is a show with an identity ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/3890cbe84528ec9a83156ae76c1a4b38-300x196.jpeg)
Good Boys and True
It's 1988 and Brandon is embarking on his Senior year at St. Joseph's Preparatory School ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/directors-notes-300x288.png)
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
Opening Night REVIEW: Adapted from the Directors Notes from Thomas R. Gorden If someone were ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/2B9C6F474-D729-E90F-36DFF3C55AB0B17F-194x300.jpg)
#KanderAndEbb
What do Liza Minnelli, Joan Rivers, Bette Midler, Rosie O'Donnell, Kathy Griffin, and Ryan G ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/mEat-300x254.png)
All About Sex (Meat The Garcias)
A light and funny romp through a distorted family's view on business, sex and sausage ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/12088273_10156200721130370_6350295093198118365_n-300x180.jpg)
Love, Sex and Death in the Amazon
I can't think of a more gut-wrenching scene then watching a mother, lover or friend ...
![](https://raymondhelkio.com/wp-content/uploads/nemuna-ceesay-and-miranda-noelle-wilson-are-among-the-107320-150x150-1.jpg)
Dracula by Three Day Hangover
REVIEW | OCTOBER 15, 2015 | With Bram Stroker’s Dracula turning 100 this year it ...