SCRUTINY | Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s Messiah Covers The Basics, But Misses On True Holiday Magic

By Arthur Kaptainis on December 17, 2025

Handel’s Messiah returns every year to Roy Thomson Hall under the auspices of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, in 2025 under the baton of British conductor Michael Francis.

SCRUTINY | Wing Chun Dance Drama Offers A Window Into Chinese Cultural Heritage That Combines Production And Dance Excellence

By Anya Wassenberg on December 17, 2025

Wing Chun Dance Drama tells the story of Ip Man, the iconic martial arts practitioner — and legendary teacher of a young Bruce Lee — through the ups and downs of his life.

SCRUTINY | Mirvish’s Canadian & Juliet Is A Runaway Hit

By Paula Citron on December 16, 2025

SCRUTINY | Crow’s Theatre’s Rogers V. Rogers Is Both Funny And Revealing

By Anya Wassenberg on December 11, 2025

A rebuke against corporate monopolies and greed, a clash of personalities, and a story of generational family dysfunction combine the thoroughly entertaining Rogers v. Rogers.

SCRUTINY | International Superstar Andrea Bocelli Captivates Hamilton With Magical Concert

By Denise Lai on December 11, 2025

Celebrated tenor Andrea Bocelli performed at Hamilton’s brand new TD Coliseum as the only Canadian stop on his 2025 world tour.

SCRUTINY | The Woman In Black Evokes Terror Without The Customary Digital Spectacle

By Paula Citron on December 10, 2025

The Woman in Black at Toronto's CAA Theatre proves, yet again, that terror thrives in darkness — and in the stories we tell ourselves when the lights begin to fade.

SCRUTINY | From Men In Tights To Lorcan Blood Wedding – A Midsummer Night’s Dream At The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

By Michelle Assay on December 9, 2025

A forbidding, clinically white stage is not what comes naturally to mind for A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.

SCRUTINY | Performances And Dazzling Production Values Elevate Mirvish’s We Will Rock You

By Paula Citron on December 8, 2025

The production of We Will Rock You currently playing in Toronto is definitely entertaining, well performed, holds up well and is certainly dazzling to watch.

SCRUTINY | Aszure Barton & Ambrose Akinmusire’s A a | a B : B E N D Offers A Powerful Merging Of Concert And Dance

By Paula Citron on December 5, 2025

A a | a B : B E N D, the joint creation of New York–based Canadian choreographer Aszure Barton and American composer and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, is a daring piece

SCRUTINY | Back To Basics Approach Creates Moving Production Of The Sound Of Music At Mirvish

By Paula Citron on December 2, 2025

An unsentimental approach to The Sound of Music at Mirvish reveals the musical’s original spirit, and in doing so, it got to me in ways I had not anticipated.