Toronto Star Culture

Here's my profile on Madeleine Thien, whose first novel in nearly a decade arrives next week. We spoke about Hannah Arendt, visiting Palestine, the limits of autofiction and much more. thestar.com/entertainment/…

Luigi Mangione, the suspected health-care CEO assassin turned folk hero, is the subject of a new musical. Is that depraved or potentially brilliant? thestar.com/entertainment/… via @torontostar

Spoke to music fans and critics about Arcade Fire's comeback, less than three years after Win Butler was accused by multiple people of sexual misconduct. Announcing a tour without addressing the allegations is "deeply cynical," one (lapsed) fan said: thestar.com/entertainment/…

The new Canadian musical 'Life After' is a triumph at Mirvish (@Mirvish). But is it ready for Broadway? #theaTO My review of Britta Johnson's astounding chamber musical is now up @TorontoStar: thestar.com/entertainment/…

“It is a solemn record," Hussein told me. "But the despair is not overwhelming. It is hopeful. It is full of light.” Check out the full profile here: thestar.com/entertainment/…

“Light for the Midnight” – a title inspired by a Gwendolyn Brooks poem that Ladan Hussein says profoundly captured her experience with psychosis – is an extraordinary comeback album from Cold Specks, one that sublimates pain and inner turmoil into a work of breathtaking beauty.

Her musical ‘Life After’ began on a tiny Toronto Fringe stage. Now, it’s playing at Mirvish’s biggest theatre — and shooting for Broadway. #theaTO Here is @glennsumi's feature in @TorontoStar: thestar.com/entertainment/…

Also had the honour of speaking with Chantal Kreviazuk and Portishead guitarist Adrian Utley, who were both instrumental in brining this project together: thestar.com/entertainment/…

Nearly 8 years after Cold Specks was hospitalized with mental illness, the Toronto "doom soul" singer has returned with an extraordinary comeback. Here's how "Light for the Midnight" – my favourite Canadian album of the year so far – came together. thestar.com/entertainment/…

Profiled Saya Gray for @TorontoStar thestar.com/entertainment/…

“A public PACBI endorsement is a clear and vocal stance in solidarity with Palestine," said Natasha Greenblatt, a playwright and organizer with Theatre Artists for Palestinian Voices (TAPV). thestar.com/entertainment/…

#NEW: Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (@buddiesTO) — the largest queer theatre company in the world — has endorsed a cultural boycott of Israel, along with 17 other Canadian performing arts orgs. “There is no queer liberation without the liberation of Palestine." 🔗⬇️

STAR EXCLUSIVE: The Tony Award-winning musical "Kimberly Akimbo" will play in Toronto next year in a new Canadian production, after a run at Montreal's Segal Centre for Performing Arts. #theaTO More details in @TorontoStar: thestar.com/entertainment/…

Spoke to Sebastian Gaskin about his journey from Tataskweyak Cree Nation to Toronto, and his debut studio album with @IshkodeRecords. 👇🏼

For 2000s week, I took a stab at compiling a list of the Canadian albums that shaped the sound and culture of the decade. Take a stroll down memory lane and don’t yell at me 👇🏼

BREAKING: A Michael Jackson jukebox show and a new Canadian musical will headline Mirvish’s 2025-26 season, along with "Some Like it Hot," "The Outsiders," "Shucked," "A Beautiful Noise" and "& Juliet." #theaTO Full details in @TorontoStar: thestar.com/entertainment/…

Tim Heidecker + Neil Hamburger performing at the @TheDanforthMH this evening.. A little preview reading for those attending: thestar.com/entertainment/…

One final update here. The Star has confirmed that Jordan Abel and Aaron Tucker have both withdrawn from the 2025 Giller Prize jury, which was announced just 2 weeks ago. Abel says he withdrew for "ethical reasons." Three authors remain on the jury. thestar.com/entertainment/…

Wrote about the incredible @GoldieBoutilier for the @TorontoStar! She went from modelling in Paris to living in her parents’ Cape Breton basement — it helped Goldie Boutilier become an indie star: thestar.com/entertainment/…

Such a fun read from @MarkColley on the dramatic rise and fall of Canadian Tire money. thestar.com/news/canada/ca…