My critic's notebook on Nuit Blanche 2025 is now up @thestar.com. Some great exhibits in Etobicoke, but this year's festival was mostly underwhelming. (One of the biggest unforced errors: not having a single installation in Scarborough.)

What do you want to know about Canadian theatre or arts criticism more broadly? @thestar.com is hosting an AMA with me on Wednesday (Oct. 8) at 1 p.m. Leave your questions here in advance or join me for the live chat next week. #theaTO

‘Slave Play’ was one of the most controversial shows in Broadway history. At Canadian Stage, it’s unmissable #theaTO My 4-star review for @thestar.com

Stratford Festival announces new artistic director — a star British theatremaker with big ambitions More in @thestar.com

I love reviewing classical music, but rarely get the chance to do it. Yesterday was one of those rare opportunities. Here's my review of Lang Lang's fiery return to the @torontosymphony.bsky.social, now up @thestar.com (Gift Link):

"MJ," the Michael Jackson jukebox musical at Mirvish, never looks at the man in the mirror. My 1.5-star review is now up @thestar.com:

BREAKING: Shaw Festival unveils 2026 season, including ‘Amadeus,’ ‘Funny Girl’ and ‘Cinderella.' Plus: a workshop presentation of a new play by Pulitzer Prize winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. More in @thestar.com

Review: "The Art of War" at @stratfest.bsky.social is a profound new Canadian play, about creating art at the end of the world. My 3.5-star review is now up @thestar.com:

‘Old Times’ review: Harold Pinter classic manipulates power with ease — and terror — at Soulpepper, via @thestar.com

This Montreal riding obtained $27 million in public arts funds. Others received zero. Is the system fair? My investigation into regional disparities in Canada Council for the Arts funding, now online @thestar.com:

There are some fine performances and great direction, but I simply could not get behind "Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812," now running @mirvish.bsky.social. #theaTO Here's my minority report, for @thestar.com:

My @thestar.com review of Canadian Stage’s production of “Romeo and Juliet,” staged at the High Park Amphitheatre. #theaTO

I joined CBC's Commotion with @elamin.bsky.social to discuss the wild Luigi Mangione musical now running in San Francisco. Have a listen to the episode: www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...

Here begins my @toronto-fringe.bsky.social '25 thread! Hopefully as the fest continues, all the #TheaTO & #ComedyTO folx I know on Meta & X will have figured out BSky's the only SM platform that 1. easily shares links & news, & 2. isn't overrun by toxicity. So yes, here (only here!) we go! #FringeTO

So @thestar.com’s Fringe review hub has been updated, with more capsule reviews by @joshuachong.bsky.social @alexaamackie.bsky.social and me. Festival ends this weekend, so read this and choose wisely. www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

New batch of #FringeTO reviews are now up @thestar.com, from @glennsumi.bsky.social, @alexaamackie.bsky.social and me. We still have a few more coming later this week. #theaTO

We now have 33 #FringeTO reviews up on @thestar.com, with many more still to come in the next few days. #theaTO From @alexaamackie.bsky.social, @glennsumi.bsky.social and me:

More Toronto Fringe reviews are up, including plenty of critic’s picks from myself, @glennsumi.bsky.social and @joshuachong.bsky.social! It’s been a beautiful festival so far — I’m feeling very grateful. Only a few more reviews and shows to go! 🎭 via @thestar.com: www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

Nine new #FringeTO reviews are now up @thestar.com. #theaTO From @alexaamackie.bsky.social, @glennsumi.bsky.social and me:

Toronto Fringe Festival 2025: A complete guide with reviews and our critics’ top picks First eight reviews are up, including three critic’s picks. Check back every day @thestar.com for more. #FringeTO #theaTO

Wrote about my experience being in The Lion King last week for @thestar.com www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

It’s the first day of the 2025 Toronto Fringe Festival. Glenn Sumi (@glennsumi.bsky.social), Alexa MacKie and I will be reviewing more than 50 shows over the next week for @thestar.com First batch of reviews will be out tomorrow! #FringeTO #theaT

SCOOP: Stratford Festival plans to remount ‘Something Rotten’ and stage a new revival of ‘Guys & Dolls’ next year. Both productions are expected to be directed and choreographed by Donna Feore. More details in @thestar.com

Dora Awards 2025: The complete list of winners #theaTO

“Karma, The Life We Inherit,” the first half of Why Not Theatre’s two-part play “Mahabharata,” won five Doras in the general theatre division on Monday night. #theaTO More for @thestar.com:

Love this excerpt about critics disagreeing with each other about a show from yesterday’s reader Q&A with @theglobeandmail.com Theatre Reporter @aislingmurph.bsky.social (Reader pointed out how her rave differed from @joshuachong.bsky.social’s pan)

Even without reading @joshuachong.bsky.social’s 1.5 star review, you couldn’t pay me to experience this installation at Luminato. Instant claustrophobia activated. www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

My roundup of the 2025 #TonyAwards is now up @thestar.com. Here are the snubs, surprises and top moments from this year's ceremony.

4/4 stars from me for Kat Sandler's unmissable new adaptation of "Anne of Green Gables" at @stratfest.bsky.social. Watching "The Winter's Tale" on Friday and this the following afternoon was a wonderful theatrical doubleheader.

It’s one of Shakespeare’s so-called ‘problem plays,’ but in the hands of the Stratford Festival, it’s a must-see production. My first four-star review out of this year's Stratford opening week, now up @thestar.com. Don't miss this one!

My review of @stratfest.bsky.social's delightful revival of "Annie" is now up @thestar.com. Go see this one!

The @stratfest.bsky.social's 73rd season is officially open. Here's my @thestar.com review of the first show of the year: Chris Abraham's production of "As You Like It."

Sandy Rustin’s family-friendly murder mystery whodunit “Clue” is filled with physical comedy, but often plays it too safe. My review for @thestar.com:

The Shaw Festival says this is its last ‘Narnia’ play. After seeing ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,’ that’s a good thing. My review of this incredibly disappointing production is now up @thestar.com:

This Tchaikovsky opera of gale-force emotionality gets an exceptional cast and conductor in its Canadian Opera Company revival. #theaTO My review for @thestar.com

Luigi Mangione, the suspected health-care CEO assassin turned folk hero, is the subject of a new musical. Is that depraved or potentially brilliant? Shared some thoughts in my latest critic's notebook for @thestar.com:

The house is crumbling — and so is the family in the promising new play ‘The Roof Is Leaking.' #theaTO My review for @thestar.com

Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Ovo’ marks an impressive, eye-popping return to form for the Canadian company. #theaTO My review for @thestar.com:

‘A Strange Loop’ is the greatest American musical of the decade. But does it translate for Canadian audiences at Soulpepper?#theaTO My review of this brash, unapologetic and glorious show is now up @thestar.com:

My review of the Canadian musical "Life After" is now up @thestar.com. Don't miss this one. #theaTO

Her musical ‘Life After’ began on a tiny Toronto Fringe stage. Now, it’s playing at Mirvish’s biggest theatre — and shooting for Broadway. Here's @glennsumi.bsky.social's feature for @thestar.com:

Loved chatting with LIFE AFTER’s Britta Johnson, Anika Johnson, Kaylee Harwood & director Annie Tippe before the acclaimed musical - which I first saw and loved at the Fringe - goes up @mirvish.bsky.social. Story in today’s @thestar.com www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

If you have a kid (or are a kid at heart), I highly recommend checking out "Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical" at @mirvish.bsky.social. #theaTO What a silly treat. My 4-star review for @thestar.com:

“Downton Abbey” actor Elizabeth McGovern will headline the 2025-26 Off-Mirvish season, which will feature a lineup of five productions, the most in the subscription program’s history. #theaTO More details for @thestar.com

My favourite musical rhyme I've heard in a very long time: "tadpoles"/"dad goals" Look out for my @thestar.com review later this week to find out which show this is from. #theaTO

Letting audiences help shape a new play seemed like a bad idea. Boy, did the Vault Creation Lab prove me wrong! #theaTO My latest critic's notebook for @thestar.com

My review of Opera Atelier's DAVID AND JONATHAN is now up at @thestar.com. Even after studying the synopsis, I had some difficulty following the story. So I just sat back and let the music, dance and design wash over me. www.thestar.com/entertainmen...

NEW: An acclaimed Toronto theatre company that’s been largely dormant since the pandemic is relaunching with new leadership, a fresh mandate and a slate of three shows — including “Spring Awakening” — for the 2025-26 season. #theaTO More details in @thestar.com

The Star is also hiring for its part-time student internship program (also known as the radio room). Applications are due April 11.

🚨Job alert: The Toronto Star (@thestar.com) is currently hiring for its one-year internship. It's a great opportunity for early-career journalists. I'm an alum of this program, so feel free to send me any questions. Applications are due April 30. Apply here: