Holy O

Choose your own adventure audience participation with stories of the character's past which collectively lead to her present choices and feelings. I enjoyed the various stories however, the orgasm and it's meaning was unclear and seemed unnecessary.

This show just didn't connect for me. It felt more like a collection of somewhat random stories, and because of that it seemed very repetitive. Why the orgasm framing device, which was integral to the marketing, when it didn't really seem to connect to the thesis or seem necessary at all? I like when comedy gets serious/dark, but I don't think this show earned its sad turn at the end.

Each audience member is handed some golden pipe cleaners and is invited to make a craft. The stage and auditorium are littered with crumpled shirts, and it’s clear that our hero is struggling with their wardrobe. These choices feel neuroinclusive to this ADHDer: I’m happy to busy myself with a handcraft and feel oddly at home sitting amongst unfolded laundry. 



As the show begins, there is a dedicated recording that describes the nature of the participation and how we should engage. There will be direct address and conversation with individual audience members, but we are taught to say “pass” if we don’t consent to playing along. We’re given permission to leave the space if we need to and are forewarned that the performer will walk in the audience maskless. This artist knows how to put us at ease and obviously has a heart-centred approach. She knows how to hold us in the palm of her hand; tickling us in one breath, prodding us gently with another, and setting us down gently when she herself hops into the fire. 


Our hero, Vera, is a former atheist, a school nurse (currently), and is very likely to become a nun soon. Without warning, we, the audience, appear in her chaotic bedroom as a heavenly horde of saints. Though horrified at first, she then takes advantage of the moment and recruits us to help her pick through her clothes (and brain) and give our opinion on which items must be donated, and which ones ought to be saved for her next chapter.

This show is as hilarious as it is heartbreaking. Lauren Hance connects with us and incorporates our offerings with such disheveled comic charm that I cannot help but draw comparisons to the likes of Rachel Dratch. Single performer shows like this can sometimes feel difficult to sustain energy-wise, but this was a masterclass in how to do the form justice. Whether or not you feel drawn to conversations around pleasure or religion, I highly recommend adding this show to your list. There wasn't a false moment in sight.

Audience participation, feminism, emotional trauma, choose-your-adventure, one woman show, orgasms.

It was great!

Sin has Never Been so Fun - Sydney Boisvert

Holy O is an award-winning immersive dramedy that delivers both laughter and deep reflection. From the very beginning, the audience was fully engaged, eagerly playing along and acting as “saints” guiding Vera, a young woman torn between her dream of becoming a nun and her attachment to the pleasures of her past. This interaction pushed me outside my comfort zone, but in a thoroughly enjoyable way. It was playful, funny, and surprisingly connective, making the entire experience feel less like a performance and more like a shared story.

The performer portraying Vera commanded the space with energy and humor while also knowing when to slow down and introduce sincerity. Her recollections about the objects tied to her past added a tender, human layer that balanced the comedy. She welcomed the audience with warmth and charisma, making us feel not only included but essential to the unfolding of her story.

The narrative struck a balance between comedy and drama, embracing absurdity at times yet always returning to meaningful questions about faith, sexuality, and self-discovery. The staging enhanced this tension beautifully, set in an intimate yet slightly chaotic apartment that reflected Vera’s internal struggle.

In conclusion, Holy O is more than just entertainment, it’s a wild, participatory exploration of what it means to reconcile desire and devotion. This is not a passive viewing experience; it’s a shared journey. If you're open to being drawn into the action and reflecting, while laughing along the way, this is a show you won’t want to miss.

Holy O is a stunning one-woman show that moved me from beginning to end. With powerful storytelling and raw emotional depth, this performance tells a profoundly personal and universal story of a woman discovering herself—through the lens of faith, identity, and sexuality. It’s brave, honest, and beautifully told. The performer holds the stage with such grace and intensity that you feel every word in your bones. If you're lucky enough to receive this blessing, prepare to be deeply moved.