For immediate release. Thank you @jimmykimmel.com and everyone who spammed this account in all caps for 5 days with your threats to deny your children joy.

A Sandra Shamas set at JFL, preceded by some amazing comics in a show cheekily called AGE AGAINST THE MACHINE? Yes. Yes. Yes.

This afternoon’s show. A new space. First of 3 shows today.

Sitting in Grange Park with the three gifted co-founders of Shifting Ground Collective & talking Sondheim, "Ride the Cyclone," & opportunities for emerging artists was a lovely way to end the summer. My profile of them is now up @thestar.com. www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

Love how Coal Mine’s exterior at Danforth and Woodbine has got an upgrade and looks like a “real” theatre.

Wish I was around to see some more, but I at least got out to Langston Kerman's early show and loved it. Watch his special BAD POETRY on Netflix if you haven't yet. Always glad to read Glenn on the comedy beat.

I've seen three shows so far at @justforlaughs.bsky.social Toronto. Loved each one. Two of the acts have their final sets tonight. www.goaheadsumi.com/just-for-lau...

Wait for the clips…

Really enjoyed the production/performances in OCTET, the a cappella musical co-produced by Crow's/Soulpepper/Musical Stage Co. But felt it lost momentum in the middle. My review is now up at @thestar.com: www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

Psst... giving away a pair of tickets to Canadian Stage's upcoming production of the controversial SLAVE PLAY, receiving its Canadian premiere. Subscribe to my newsletter to enter. Deadline tomorrow at noon. www.goaheadsumi.com/10-theatre-a...

Tonight’s show @crowstheatre.bsky.social / #MusicalStageCo

Happy Fall Theatre Season! Here are 10 artists basking in the spotlight on Toronto stages this season. Plus: win a pair of tickets to @jeremyoharris.bsky.social SLAVE PLAY, another big buzz show. www.goaheadsumi.com/10-theatre-a...

THE WELKIN is a CRITIC’S PICK ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! “Weyni Mengesha’s powerful production of Lucy Kirkwood’s period play deserves to be seen and savoured multiple times.” @glennsumi.bsky.social 🗞️ Read the review: www.goaheadsumi.com/review-the-w... 🎟️Book tickets: tickets.youngcentre.ca/overview/15182

RIP, Robert Redford. What a devastating year this has been for actors of this stature and this generation. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/m...

Wanna win tickets to the new @crowstheatre.bsky.social / #MusicalStageCo production of Dave Malloy's OCTET? Subscribe & answer a question in my latest newsletter. Deadline is 6 pm today. www.goaheadsumi.com/review-the-w...

I loved THE WELKIN, flaws and all. What a play. What an ensemble. Great final production by outgoing Soulpepper AD Weyni Mengesha. www.goaheadsumi.com/review-the-w...

It’s intermission and I’m already thinking: “I want to see this again. And I want to read the script.”

The 2025/26 Toronto theatre season officially begins tonight…

Glad I saw a remount of the groundbreaking 1987 play BACHELOR MAN — which deals with the effect of Canada's Exclusion Act on Chinese-Canadians in the 1920s — at Tarragon. Plus a new indie musical. Both in my latest newsletter. www.goaheadsumi.com/reviews-bach...

A three interview day. #Oof

Loved watching two emerging sketch troupes. Reviewed the first two sketch troupes in the new monthly “Spotlight at the Second City” series, for Parton & Pearl: www.partonandpearl.com/blog/spotlig...

So many Toronto theatre pioneers out for opening of this revival.

Not sure I’d spring for all 3, but this seems like the perfect new item to offer as samples… just sayin, Starbucks.

The groundbreaking 1987 play BACHELOR MAN, set in Toronto's Chinatown in 1929, returns in a new, revised production. Previews tonight and opens Thursday at Tarragon. I talked with actor/director/adapter Brenda Kamino in my latest newsletter. www.goaheadsumi.com/bringing-his...

No way did he believe the cap was meant for him. After a previous threat and total non-apology worsened things, the selfish bastard is now trying to do damage control.

Enjoyed chatting w George Krissa for @thestar.com. He just wrapped up the @mirvish.bsky.social remount of GREAT COMET & is going into the musicals BRIGHT STAR and &JULIET this fall. Not bad for a kid from small-town Sask. His origin story is incredibly inspiring. www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

How had I entirely missed the buzz around the 2022 movie BARBARIAN? Most surprising, fun, inventive horror film I’ve seen in ages.

This is exactly the wrong time to kneecap arts and culture in this country

Two final performances today

It's tough to break into the Toronto theatre scene. Two indie companies have tried recently, with striking productions of OLEANNA and PIGEON! www.goaheadsumi.com/oleanna-icar...

Morgan Spector/Carrie Coon Scottish play when?

Can I block the meaningless phrase “thoughts and prayers”?

Do I dare? Is the can going to ask me really well-researched questions, too? Does it come with milk?

Psst... giving away tix to @nightwoodtheat.bsky.social's upcoming production of ENORMITY, GIRL, & THE EARTHQUAKE IN HER LUNGS. Contest closes Mon at noon. Details at the end of this post (must be a member to enter): www.goaheadsumi.com/tiffny-of-at... www.nightwoodtheatre.net/enormity-gir...

My second show today @stratfest.bsky.social - featuring two of my fave actors on the cover.

First play in my @stratfest.bsky.social double bill

In my latest newsletter, I review three Shakespeare-adjacent plays: @shakespeareruff.bsky.social's TIFF'NY OF ATHENS, @guildfesttheatre.bsky.social's HERATIO and the Foster Fest's MECHANICALLY INCLINED. Each one has its charms. Plus: there's a ticket giveaway. www.goaheadsumi.com/tiffny-of-at...

Hurontario LRT Finch LRT Eglinton LRT All delayed. Yet the premier wants us to believe his government can build a 3-tiered 50km tunnel under our busiest highway while blaming congestion on 3 bike lanes in Toronto contrary to his own experts? In the meantime enjoy your 5 day work week commute.

Truly the end of an era. Joining Dooney’s, Brunswick House, Country Style and other beloved Annex restos/bars…

#TIFF50 tickets go on sale this week. Here are some films to consider if you're a theatre and comedy fan. www.goaheadsumi.com/tiff-2025-fi...

In my latest newsletter, I review Soulpepper's OLD TIMES, @outsidethemarch.bsky.social's RAINBOW ON MARS and a handful of performance pieces at the just-closed @summerworksfun.bsky.social. I also point out a new monthly sketch series at Second City. www.goaheadsumi.com/reviews-old-... .

I have to admit: not hearing Poilievre’s whiny, smug, self-satisfied voice complaining non-stop has been very good for my mental health this summer.

Out of town trip to see my first show at The Foster Fest in St Catherine’s.

Lots of films for theatre and comedy lovers at this year’s #TIFF50 www.goaheadsumi.com/tiff-2025-fi...

Wow. 🥯

Tonight’s @summerworksfun.bsky.social show.

There’s so much construction in Toronto right now I don’t even understand the King and Queen streetcar routes.

Tonight’s show. New profile pic, obviously.

Aug 24 at Comedy Bar Danforth, stand-up @andrewbarrcomedy.bsky.social is running on a treadmill for 12h straight, then taping his 1st comedy special. All to give back to the rehab centre that helped get him sober. We chatted why, how, pee breaks & more. www.goaheadsumi.com/comic-andrew...