Glenn Sumi

"You have too many opinions," a high school bully told me. Guilty! I've been writing abt the arts for more than 25 years. Now that my regular outlet is dying a painful death, I'm doing it here.

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Theatre

Great Comet soars at the Royal Alex

Chris Abraham’s hugely successful production of the Dave Malloy musical transfers to the most elegant theatre in the city, with gorgeous results

Out-of-town Theatre

Review: Steel Magnolias blossoms in Port Hope

Even if you know the movie, you’ll enjoy watching six of the city’s finest actors deliver some good ol’ fashioned Southern comfort

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Theatre

Outdoor theatre reviews: Romeo and Juliet, The 39 Steps

This summer’s al fresco offerings include a delightful adaptation of a spy classic and an atmospheric version of a Shakespeare tragedy

Out-of-town Theatre

Shakespeare x2: Macbeth and The Winter’s Tale at Stratford

One of these productions is exquisite, while the other is full of sound, fury and mock motorcycles, signifying not a helluva lot

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Fringe Festival

Final Fringe 2025 post: Zeitgeist, Alpha, Mocktails and a free Fringe-themed book giveaway

Including some last-minute reviews, a list of the Fringe's official winning productions, and a Fringe-related book giveaway

Fringe Festival

Mid-festival Fringe report

My favourite shows (so far), how the venues are working for me, and why the festival is so important to the Toronto theatre scene

Out-of-town Theatre

Bonus Canada Day post: My first trip to the Blyth Festival

I review the world premiere of Emma Donoghue's The Wind Coming Over the Sea and a revival of Drew Hayden Taylor's Sir John A: Acts of a Gentrified Ojibway Rebellion

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Theatre

Thoughts on the 2025 Dora Award winners (and losers)

The night's big winners included Mahabharata, People, Places and Things and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Out-of-town Theatre

Naughty or nice: Stratford Festival musicals pay off big time

The sunny Annie and the darkly funny Dirty Rotten Scoundrels both deliver first-rate entertainment

Theatre

10 artists to watch at the 2025 Toronto Fringe

Some of them have decades of theatre experience behind them, while others have just a few shows. These gifted artists and their work are worth catching at this year's festival.

Theatre

Stratford’s new Anne of Green Gables is full of wonders

Plus a review of another Canadian classic, David French's Leaving Home, and two Luminato shows

Comedy

Spilling tea with Pride-a-Palooza headliner Andrew Johnston

L.A.-based Canadian comic sounds off on Netflix specials, TikTok and that controversial CBC Arts article featuring mostly Americans

Musicals

Musicals reviews: After the Rain, Beetlejuice, and a new era for Musical Stage Co.

Suzy Wilde proves she's wildly talented, while Beetlejuice scares up some big laughs and Michael Rubinoff takes the reins at Canada's largest not-for-profit musical theatre company

Theatre

Women talking: Review of The 52 Live at Luminato

Plus other stage highlights at the annual multidisciplinary arts and cultural festival, which kicks off this week

Theatre

What to watch this weekend

Red Like Fruit, Made in Italy, A Strange Loop and Never Walk Alone are among the hot shows you need to see this weekend

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Theatre

Dora Awards 2025 nominations: snubs and surprises

Should Mahabharata have taken two slots in every category? Why no love for Ronnie Burkett and Maev Beaty? And other puzzling questions.

Theatre

Zorana Sadiq serves up some uncomfortable truths in Comfort Food

Sadiq's taut two-hander about the lack of communication between a mother and son goes to some unexpected places

Theatre

Homegrown musical Life After receives a triumphant homecoming

The latest version of Britta Johnson's heartfelt musical about grief gets the epic production it deserves

Theatre

Jonathan Wilson reflects on his “queer elder” status in new solo show

On the eve of A Public Display of Affection, the Dora-winning actor discusses trying to get his plays produced, fighting labels and being green in The Lion King

Theatre

Artists to watch on Toronto stages this winter

From Dora Award and Governor General's Award winners to one of the country's most celebrated acting couples, some of the biggest talents will be heating up theatres this season

Comedy

Advice to sketch comedy artists (but it applies to any stage artist)

As we begin a new calendar year, I look back on some advice I gave to sketch comics more than a decade ago

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Theatre

The Top 10 Toronto theatre artists of 2024

Here are 10 artists who made going to the theatre a joy this year, as well as a bunch more who broke through to new levels of excellence

Theatre

The Top 10 Toronto theatre productions of 2024

Age is a Feeling, The Inheritance: Parts 1 and 2 and Big Stuff top my list of the most memorable shows of the year

Theatre

12 things to do or see before the holidays — Part 2

Reviews of The Bidding War, The Master Plan, Titanique, Madame Minister, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and lots more — plus a book giveaway!

Theatre

12 things to do or see before the holidays — Part 1

Before the holidays arrive, here are some suggestions of shows to see, movies to watch and podcasts or albums to listen to