Queer Comedic Artists in Toronto You Should Know!
The Queer Community is flourishing in the North through all aspects of the arts. Let us dive into the Toronto comedy scene to spotlight some of the incredible Queer comedic artists, in no particular order, who we think are thriving in this new online entertainment world that we are living in.
If you don’t follow these fine folx, you certainly should now!
BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMAD (he/him)
Brandon Ash-Mohammad is pure talent. The humour and jokes that materialize from his incredible mind are quick, dry, and full of brilliance. In his debut album, Capricornication, Brandon shines and gets to show off all his talents. What an unbelievable tour de force, a masterclass in comedy and an album that, (even though you may hear these jokes several times because the album will be on repeat, I guarantee it), they will have you belly laughing each time. Every time I see Brandon perform he brings the same joyful, playful energy on stage. Currently, he can be seen with another incredible comedian Andrew Johnston in their online Instagram Live conversations, “Sittin’ Up In My Room”, Wednesdays 7 pm EST.
Twitter: @BrandonAMcomedy -- IG: @brandonamcomedy -- Website: Brandon.lol
COKO & DAPHNEY (she/her), (she/her)
These two women are hot, hot fire! Self described as bringing the Black Girl Magic, the magic is clearly visible when you watch them perform on stage together, the joy they display for one another permeates through the audience. Their talent not only lies on stage, Daphney Joseph is an incredible artist building upon her love of arts and crafts, creating beautiful intricate designs. And Coko Galore is killing it as the new Artistic Director of Bad Dog Theatre. Head to Bad Dog Comedy TV to feast your eyes on the sick line-up she has curated, including Daphney’s new hit show Never I Have I Ever, where Daphney charmingly guides a group of folx through those tough, silly, and revealing Never I Have I Ever questions, is one not to miss.
Twitter: @cokoanddaphney, @cokogalore, @daphneyisjoseph
IG: @cokoanddaphney, @cokogalore, @daphney1josep
SELENA VYLE (she/her)
If there is one word to describe Selena Vyle it simply must be, FABULOUS! She is, of course, worth more than one word but how can you describe such a FORCE! Selena Vyle brings her wonderful unexpected comedy to the world of Drag. Known for her political performances and social commentary, she is not afraid to make a statement in her signature and gorgeous way. From lip-synching and playing every character from Lin Manuel Miranda's Broadway hit, In The Heights, to a full Latinx spectacular including inspiring sound bites from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, she is a Queen we are not worthy of. This Latinx/Arab drag queen is not ONLY working the Drag circuit, but she is also a Canadian Comedy Award Winning comedian for her collaboration on the smash sensation A Sketch Comedy Extravaganza Eleganza, and is a very well known musical improviser with the voice of an angel!
Twitter: @selenavyle -- IG: @selenavyle -- Website: torontodrag.com/selena-vyle
ABA AMUQUANDOH (she/her) & BEN SOSA WRIGHT (he/him)
I could listen to these two astounding comedians chat about Pop Culture for hours. Their chemistry, knowledge, comedic timing, and pleasantly silky vocal tones, create the perfect cocktail to accompany their superbly entertaining podcast, Nostalgique (under the wing of the incredible Podcast network Sonar and recently featured on Apple podcasts) . If you want to get to know these delightful comedians this podcast is the exact way to do so! You will feel like you are part of the conversation. Ben Sosa Wright can also be seen on stages combining his quirky comedy relating it to his Queer & Latinx experiences. He is just a gem to watch perform and makes you feel giddy sitting there with a smile on your face. Aba Amuquandoh brings a fresh style to the stage that is energetic, confident and quick. These two gems are on their way up and it will never stop because their talent is endless!
Twitter: @abaquan @smiley_gay, @nostalgiquepod -- IG: @jk_miss_thing, @abaquann, @nostalgiquepod
OPHIRA CALOF (SheHer/TheyThem)
Ophira Calof is an award-winning Disabled writer, performer, and producer. They are a multi talented performer meshing storytelling, music, and comedy into her pieces and their stage presence brings equal parts honesty, charm, and warmth. Gracing us with content that centers on disability and their chronic illness experience, which is content we deserve to see more of! Their work is important, touching and very, very funny. This is apparent in Bad Dog Comedy TVs Slumber Party, with Ophira as host the show leaves you with a warm, cozy feeling. Ophira is not only someone on the scene to watch for their blossoming career, the waves they are making by bringing attention to the accessibility issue we face in the comedy and theatre community with their movement #cripthescript, is inspiring. And they have a ridiculously beautiful singing voice!
Twitter: @Ophira_c -- IG: @ophira.c -- Website: ophira.ca
AJAHNIS CHARLEY (he/him)
Ajahnis Charley is the REAL DEAL! This comedian has chops. Whether he is performing solo with his show Thots & Prayers, weekly with The Sketchersons, or hosting his new online late-afternoon variety show High Tea, he brings a burst of energy that is over the top, high octane and just plain FUN. The musicality and lyricism he possesses is smart and catchy as hell. His songs contain strong and silly points of view, like his song where he finds Italian men to be the hottest of the Daddys, with quotes like, “Pacino makes me tingle when he serious”. These bops should be on your summer playlist for sure. He will also be making Canadian Comedy history with the announcement of The Untitled Black Comedy Sketch Project. Recently a recipient of the Toronto Sketch Comedy Project Fund 2020, this all-black sketch troupe, including Ajahnis, Aba Amuquandoh and more - is stacked! It is co-produced by Ajahnis along with Coko Galore. Big things are coming in this man’s career!
Twitter: @ajwithnofilters -- IG: @ajwithnofilters
KIRSTEN RASSMUSSEN (she/her)
A veteran of the comedy scene from her incredible work in multiple Second City Mainstage revues, and the hit revue She the People, Kirsten Rassmussen is a golden god of improv and sketch. Her comedic style is silly, smart, and full of big electric characters that make your face hurt from laughing. Just watch her new online show Fitness Wigs on Bad Dog Comedy TV. When she isn’t performing on stage with her many wonderful troupes, she is directing shows like the Canadian Comedy Award-winning all queer sketch show, A Sketch Comedy Extravaganza Eleganza, Tom Hearn’s solo sketch show Slang, or the beautifully truthful sketch revue about losing a parent, The Dead Parents Society. Kirsten brings elegance, skill, and experience to her direction which shows in the soaring success of these shows. Now she can not only be seen on stage but your screens as well in two highly recommended series, Band Ladies (Highball TV) and Slo Pitch (KindaTV). Her performances in these new series confirm Rassmussen is a star!
Twitter: @kikirazzle -- IG: @kikirazzle
TOM HEARN (he/him)
As a producer Tom Hearn is always hustling to offer opportunities for many emerging queer comedians from his yearly Proud&Funny Festival, 420 Comedy Festival, or bringing together the team behind A Sketch Comedy Extravaganza Eleganza. On stage his performances are proud, quick, and a non-stop queer spectacular! Whether he is performing weekly with The Sketchersons, in his sketch comedy duo Tom & Erica, or in his hit solo show, Slang (directed by Kirsten Rassmussen). Tom brings an energy that has the resemblance of a young Molly Shannon meets Sean Hayes. Tom makes sure we know, using the power behind his singing voice, that he will F**k Your Dad, and his strong large and sometimes EXTRA characters, that he is GAY AS HELL and here to make a SPLASH!
Twitter: @tomhearn -- IG: @isthattomhearn -- Website: isthattomhearn.com
ASHLEY COOPER (she/her)
Ashley is a queer trans writer, comedian and Twitch streamer. Watching her new Twitch stream, where she plays horror video games, even though she is “chicken shit” is so fun to watch, and is just another example that Ashley Cooper can do it ALL! ! Her comedy is so witty, fast, and relevant with hard hitting laugh out loud punch lines. Ashley is a woman with many hats, she not only performs comedy, but she is also on the writing team for a visual novel available on Steam or Nintendo Switch called Later Daters. With Later Daters you date as an octogenarian and find somebody to love, which is a game I know I want to play. Like how cool is that? You can also find her working with companies like Shaftesbury, Cameron Pictures, and opening for comics like Sasheer Zamata. Ashley’s comedy will continue to delight!
Twitter: @ashleyverses -- IG: @ashleyverses -- Website: twitch.tv/AshleyV
We are also reaching out to you, dear reader, if you know of any Queer Artist’s that are slaying it right now in Canada, PLEASE feel free to drop us a DM on IG or Twitter @its_triciablack or @partonandpearl. We want to know you all!
Full disclosure: The writer, and editor, know some of these performers personally.
Our coverage of LGBTQ2S+ comedians in Toronto and from across Canada will be ongoing.
