Joshua Chong
@joshuachong.bsky.social
Arts Critic & Reporter at the Toronto Star covering theatre, opera and classical music, along with the cultural institutions and individuals that breathe life into the city.
Tips and pitches: [email protected]
Tips and pitches: [email protected]
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.)
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.)
Nuit Blanche 2025: Our critic on the good, the bad and the ugly from Toronto’s all-night arts fest
This year’s iteration of Nuit Blanche was a mixed bag, writes the Star’s arts critic and reporter Joshua Chong.
www.thestar.com
October 6, 2025 at 6:27 PM
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.)
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
@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
Inside Canadian theatre: Join a live Q&A with Joshua Chong
Arts reporter Joshua Chong takes your questions theatre in Canada, from Stratford’s new leader to Toronto’s top trends, in a live Q&A on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m.
www.thestar.com
October 3, 2025 at 6:50 PM
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
@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
My 4-star review for @thestar.com
‘Slave Play’ was one of the most controversial shows in Broadway history. At Canadian Stage, it’s unmissable
Jeremy O. Harris’s satire is subversive, maddening, riveting and confounding, all at the same time. It also cannot be missed.
www.thestar.com
October 3, 2025 at 4:53 PM
‘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
My 4-star review for @thestar.com
Stratford Festival announces new artistic director — a star British theatremaker with big ambitions
More in @thestar.com
More in @thestar.com
Stratford Festival announces new artistic director — a star British theatremaker with big ambitions
The British theatremaker Jonathan Church will succeed Antoni Cimolino next year, taking the helm of North America’s largest repertory theatre company.
www.thestar.com
October 1, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Stratford Festival announces new artistic director — a star British theatremaker with big ambitions
More in @thestar.com
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):
Here's my review of Lang Lang's fiery return to the @torontosymphony.bsky.social, now up @thestar.com (Gift Link):
Polarizing piano star Lang Lang delivers a fiery, flashy TSO return — hair flips, foot stomps and all
The Chinese lodestar offered a fiery and flashy interpretation of Beethoven’s “Emperor Concerto” on Wednesday night at Roy Thomson Hall.
www.thestar.com
September 26, 2025 at 2:34 AM
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):
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:
My 1.5-star review is now up @thestar.com:
Review: ‘MJ,’ the Michael Jackson jukebox musical at Mirvish, never looks at the man in the mirror
Lynn Nottage’s character rehabilitation features slick choreography by Christopher Wheeldon, but only skims the surface of Jackson’s life.
www.thestar.com
September 21, 2025 at 7:53 PM
"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:
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
More in @thestar.com
Shaw Festival unveils 2026 season, including ‘Amadeus,’ ‘Funny Girl’ and ‘Cinderella’
The lineup includes ‘Amadeus’ along with the musicals ‘Funny Girl’ and ‘Cinderella.’
www.thestar.com
August 27, 2025 at 3:20 PM
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
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:
My 3.5-star review is now up @thestar.com:
Review: Stratford Festival’s ‘The Art of War’ is a profound play about a Canadian painter sent to the warfront
Yvette Nolan’s deeply existential drama follows a Canadian painter sent to the front lines of the Second World War to bear witness.
www.thestar.com
August 22, 2025 at 2:09 PM
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:
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
‘Old Times’ review: Harold Pinter classic manipulates power with ease — and terror — at Soulpepper
Peter Pasyk’s chic production manipulates power, perspective and memory with the ease — and terror.
www.thestar.com
August 17, 2025 at 1:29 PM
‘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:
My investigation into regional disparities in Canada Council for the Arts funding, now online @thestar.com:
This Montreal riding obtained $27 million in public arts funds. Others received zero. Is the system fair?
A Star analysis has found significant disparities in how public arts funding is distributed across the country.
www.thestar.com
August 2, 2025 at 2:11 PM
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:
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:
Here's my minority report, for @thestar.com:
In this electro-pop opera retelling of Tolstoy’s ‘War and Peace,’ the leads shine, but the emotions fall flat
There’s little emotional depth in Dave Malloy’s sprawling retelling of Tolstoy’s “War and Peace.” But the leads in this Canadian company shine.
www.thestar.com
July 23, 2025 at 9:04 PM
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:
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
Review: CanStage’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in High Park squanders its interwar Italy setting
Marie Farsi’s abridged adaptation features some solid central performances but doesn’t make the most of its interwar Italy setting.
www.thestar.com
July 18, 2025 at 11:17 PM
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-...
Have a listen to the episode:
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
© CBC/Radio-Canada 2025. All rights reserved.
www.cbc.ca
July 17, 2025 at 7:15 PM
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-...
Have a listen to the episode:
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
Reposted by Joshua Chong
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
July 3, 2025 at 4:10 PM
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
Reposted by Joshua Chong
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...
Festival ends this weekend, so read this and choose wisely.
www.thestar.com/entertainmen...
Toronto Fringe Festival 2025: A complete guide with reviews and our critics’ top picks
Theatre critics Joshua Chong, Glenn Sumi and Alexa MacKie will review dozens of shows for the Toronto Star throughout the 2025 Toronto Fringe Festival.
www.thestar.com
July 9, 2025 at 5:24 PM
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...
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 still have a few more coming later this week. #theaTO
Toronto Fringe Festival 2025: A complete guide with reviews and our critics’ top picks
Theatre critics Joshua Chong, Glenn Sumi and Alexa MacKie will review dozens of shows for the Toronto Star throughout the 2025 Toronto Fringe Festival.
www.thestar.com
July 8, 2025 at 7:35 PM
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 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:
From @alexaamackie.bsky.social, @glennsumi.bsky.social and me:
Toronto Fringe Festival 2025: A complete guide with reviews and our critics’ top picks
Theatre critics Joshua Chong, Glenn Sumi and Alexa MacKie will review dozens of shows for the Toronto Star throughout the 2025 Toronto Fringe Festival.
www.thestar.com
July 7, 2025 at 1:23 AM
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:
From @alexaamackie.bsky.social, @glennsumi.bsky.social and me:
Reposted by Joshua Chong
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...
via @thestar.com:
www.thestar.com/entertainmen...
Toronto Fringe Festival 2025: A complete guide with reviews and our critics’ top picks
Theatre critics Joshua Chong, Glenn Sumi and Alexa MacKie will review dozens of shows for the Toronto Star throughout the 2025 Toronto Fringe Festival.
www.thestar.com
July 7, 2025 at 1:03 AM
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...
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:
From @alexaamackie.bsky.social, @glennsumi.bsky.social and me:
Toronto Fringe Festival 2025: A complete guide with reviews and our critics’ top picks
Theatre critics Joshua Chong, Glenn Sumi and Alexa MacKie will review dozens of shows for the Toronto Star throughout the 2025 Toronto Fringe Festival.
www.thestar.com
July 4, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Nine new #FringeTO reviews are now up @thestar.com. #theaTO
From @alexaamackie.bsky.social, @glennsumi.bsky.social and me:
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
First eight reviews are up, including three critic’s picks. Check back every day @thestar.com for more. #FringeTO #theaTO
Toronto Fringe Festival 2025: A complete guide with reviews and our critics’ top picks
Theatre critics Joshua Chong, Glenn Sumi and Alexa MacKie will review dozens of shows for the Toronto Star throughout the 2025 Toronto Fringe Festival.
www.thestar.com
July 3, 2025 at 6:52 PM
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
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...
www.thestar.com/entertainmen...
July 3, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Wrote about my experience being in The Lion King last week for @thestar.com
www.thestar.com/entertainmen...
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
First batch of reviews will be out tomorrow! #FringeTO #theaT
July 2, 2025 at 7:42 PM
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
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
More details in @thestar.com
Stratford Festival plans to remount ‘Something Rotten’ and stage new revival of ‘Guys & Dolls’ next year
The company will remount its 2024 production of ‘Something Rotten’ and stage new revival of ‘Guys & Dolls.’
www.thestar.com
July 1, 2025 at 2:57 PM
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
More details in @thestar.com
Dora Awards 2025: The complete list of winners #theaTO
Dora Awards 2025: The complete list of winners
Toronto’s top performing arts awards were handed out Monday night at Meridian Hall, at a ceremony hosted by actor Peter Fernandes.
www.thestar.com
July 1, 2025 at 3:35 AM
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:
More for @thestar.com:
Dora Awards 2025: ‘Mahabharata’ dominates Toronto’s top theatre honours amid major upsets
The retelling of the ancient Sanskrit epic won five awards in the general theatre division, including for outstanding new play.
www.thestar.com
July 1, 2025 at 3:35 AM
“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:
More for @thestar.com: