Edmonton playwright Brad Fraser became one of the most celebrated and talked-about figures in the Canadian arts scene when he first burst into public view in the 1980s. His funny, poignant, provocative plays foregrounded queer issues at a time when they were still very much on the margins. His brilliant work came to prominence just as the AIDS crisis did, and it often reflected what the community was experiencing during that turbulent time. His work also became a polarizing cultural flashpoint—a cause for celebration for many, as well as a lightning rod for the homophobia in the air during that intense period.