Photo by Tanja Tiziana / Video by Hoffworks
CHICHO
Written and Performed by Augusto Bitter
Directed by Claren Grosz
CHICHO is a one-man show written and performed by Augusto Bitter. The titular character, an ashamed-queer-Catholic-man-boy from Venezuela, attempts to feel beautiful despite his warring identity politics. His journey is freckled with appearances from a host of other vibrant characters: Chichi the sinisterly charismatic Latin game show host, Aguacate the seductive and wise avocado, Chad the hip young Canadian priest and more. CHICHO is the story of a diasporic experience, and meticulously presents the disparity between Chicho's queer-ibbean coming-of-age journey in Canada and the worsening socioeconomic crisis in Venezuela.
CHICHO, with the support of Theatre Passe Muraille and Pencil Kit Productions, has raised over $5300 towards Venezuelan relief. All proceeds have been donated to Venezolanos Por La Vida.
Photos by Dahlia Katz
2019 Dora Mavor Moore Award Winner
Outstanding Performance of an Individual
Independent Theatre Division
Augusto Bitter
2019 Dora Mavor Moore Award Nominee
Outstanding New Play
Independent Theatre Division
Augusto Bitter
“Copious quantities of that hard-to-entirely-explain it-factor"
- The Globe and Mail
"Bursting with charisma that had me swooning."
- Mooney on Theatre
"An electrifying talent ... the material is delivered with such energy, skill, and urgency"
- The Toronto Star
"A must-see ... up close and personal is an understatement"
- Drew Rowesome.
The Artists
Augusto Bitter - Creator + Performer
Claren Grosz - Director + Producer
Elyse Waugh - Stage + Production Manager
Deanna H. Choi - Sound Design
Guiseppe Condello - Lighting + Set Design
Jivesh Parasram - Dramaturgy
The 39th Rhubarb Festival. Photo by Dahlia Katz
Past Presentions
Premier by Pencil Kit Productions and Theatre Passe Muraille with support from Aluna Theatre
March 7-24, 2019
Theatre Passe Muraille Back Space
Workshop Presentations
39th Annual Rhubarb Festival
February 16-18, 2018
Buddies in Bad Times
Theatre Passe Muraille BUZZ Series Workshop Presentation
February 3-4, 2018
Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace
Caminos Festival
October 5, 2017
Aki Studio
CHICHO was developed in residency at Theatre Passe Muraille. It has also been developed with support from Aluna Theatre, Factory Theatre, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and Diaspora Dialogues. It was written with support by the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council with funding from the City of Toronto. It was premiered with support from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Toronto Arts Council with funding from the City of Toronto, and Jeff and Rita Rayman.
Photo by Dahlia Katz