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:

NEW: The Stratford Festival ended 2024 with a million-dollar deficit as audience attendance fell short of expectations. The theatre company’s executive director said its post-pandemic recovery will likely take years longer than previously expected.

A forgotten slice of Toronto LGBTQ history is brought to life in the solo show ‘A Public Display of Affection’ My 3.5-star review of this beautiful @studio180theatre.bsky.social production now playing @crowstheatre.bsky.social. #theaTO

These two women want to produce the next great Canadian musical — which may be coming sooner than you think. Linda Barnett and Natalie Bartello helped bring “Come From Away” to Broadway and have now set their sights on the new Canadian musical “Life After.”

Timely article by @joshuachong.bsky.social on #TheaTO co's doing community outreach, like Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (I'm there Wed night for Queer Broadway Karaoke's 2 yr Anniversary), Theatre Passe Muraiile (was there last week for trial karaoke), The Theatre Centre (karaoke'd there, too), etc.