All stories by Michael Crabb on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

In Dance Me, putting movement to Leonard Cohen's legendary songs by Michael Crabb

For BJM’s ambitious Dance Me, in Toronto Dec. 15, three choreographers had to find their own voices in Cohen’s music.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 04:30PM
Thursday, November 23, 2017

National Ballet’s Nijinsky is a poignant depiction of real-life tragedy by Michael Crabb

Guillaume Côté gives his all as brilliant but tormented Vaslav Nijinsky in John Neumeier’s dance drama.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 11:22AM
Sunday, November 12, 2017

The Winter’s Tale strips away the fat to reveal nuanced emotional themes of jealousy, love and redemption by Michael Crabb

The National Ballet’s second run at Shakespeare’s tale of a jealous king has the same opening-night leads it did two years ago, with their experience allowing them to grow into their rol…

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 01:27PM
Wednesday, November 8, 2017

In Jusqu’à Vimy, war is hell, in real life and on the dance stage by Michael Crabb

Laurence Lemieux and Citadel + Compagnie tell stories of young Toronto men who fought and died at Vimy Ridge.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 04:00PM
Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Second edition of Canada All Star Ballet Gala a ‘great tasting menu’ of new work, crowd-pleasing favourites by Michael Crabb

Gala will make a deliberate nod to emerging local talents alongside international stars and fill a conspicuous gap in Toronto’s dance landscape.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 05:30PM
Thursday, October 12, 2017

Dance Immersion event centres on African heritage by Michael Crabb

Creators with African heritage come together and display and a wide diversity of approaches Oct. 14 at Harbourfront Centre.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 06:04PM
Monday, October 2, 2017

Fall for Dance North celebrates diversity of Canadian dance by Michael Crabb

Michaela Hinds, Mix Mix Dance Collective and Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal part of affordable annual festival.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 05:30PM
Wednesday, September 27, 2017

With Nijinsky, National Ballet of Canada seeks a toehold in Paris – 45 years after first visit by Michael Crabb

Company returns to city for the first time in 45 years, part of its bid to burnish its international reputation.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 04:00PM
Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Indigenous prophecy inspires dance project Miigis coming to Fort York by Michael Crabb

Toronto-born, much-travelled cochoreographer Jera Wolfe exploration of Métis heritage led to work on Miigis.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 05:00PM
Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Dance: Made in Canada assembles work from coast to coast by Michael Crabb

Dance: Made in Canada/Fait au Canada is a biennial festival featuring artists from across the country.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 03:14PM
Wednesday, August 2, 2017

The Principle of Pleasure is a proud assertion of sexuality by Michael Crabb

Dancer/choreographer Gerard Reyes' intimate work is part of this year's SummerWorks Performance Festival.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 05:54AM
Monday, July 24, 2017

Indigenous dance festival returns more than a decade later by Michael Crabb

Developed by artist Santee Smith, this iteration focuses on contemporary and experimental work by Indigenous people around the world.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 09:00AM
Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Four Luminato shows that mix art with athleticism by Michael Crabb

We weigh the balance and break down some of the most interesting offerings.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:00PM

The National Ballet’s Hannah Fischer on her Swan Lake debut by Michael Crabb

On Friday, 23-year-old Hannah Fischer will dance the role of Odette/Odile for the first time.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 08:00AM
Sunday, June 4, 2017

National Ballet’s take on A Streetcar Named Desire inspired: review by Michael Crabb

Choreographer John Neumeier takes liberties with the source material that pay off as Sonia Rodriguez brings an acute sensitivity to the faded Southern belle Blanche DuBois.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 09:05PM
Friday, June 2, 2017

Tap Dance Festival aims to tap into new energy, new audiences by Michael Crabb

Toronto International Tap Dance Festival this weekend at Harbourfront aims to expand century-old dance form’s audience and update that crowd’s preconceptions.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 06:30AM
Thursday, June 1, 2017

A Streetcar Named Desire ballet reroutes classic tale by Michael Crabb

National Ballet artistic director Karen Kain turns to choreographer John Neumeier to bring classic play to life through dance.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 10:30AM
Thursday, May 25, 2017

Canadian theatre’s Serious Games is a swift passage from childhood to adulthood by Michael Crabb

Revival of veteran choreographer David Earle’s show a testament to Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre’s young dancers.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 03:30PM
Monday, May 15, 2017

‘Dance Card’ winds up with eccentric contemporary performances: review by Michael Crabb

Two local companies, Cloud 9 and Kaeja d’Dance, are currently presenting their programs on the Theatre Centre’s “Dance Card” series, as it winds up this week.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:01AM
Thursday, May 11, 2017

Ballet Creole’s Kambule celebrates Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural kaleidoscope by Michael Crabb

Patrick Parson’s Kambule brings a taste of island’s traditional Carnival to Harbourfront May 12 to 14.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:30PM
Sunday, May 7, 2017

Russian ballerina’s tale at centre of Red Giselle by Michael Crabb

Eifman Ballet production arrives at Toronto’s Sony Centre this week.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:00PM
Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Extraordinary dance piece Meeting combines man and machine by Michael Crabb

Robotically-generated beats propel two dancers with eclectic training backgrounds in this 50-minute work, which is part of Canadian Stage’s Spotlight Australia.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 09:00AM
Friday, April 21, 2017

Louis Riel opera’s flaws redeemed, mostly, by star Russell Braun: review by Michael Crabb

Canadian Opera Company production injects indigenous presence but can’t quite undo 1967 perspective.New Canadian Opera Company production injects an indigenous presence but can’t quite u…

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:26PM
Thursday, April 20, 2017

Dancers find fertile ground in Hieronymus Bosch’s garden: review by Michael Crabb

Choreographer finds inspiration in famous painting for her own creation at Bluma Appel Theatre, evoking innocence and joy.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 04:00PM
Sunday, April 16, 2017

Garden of Earthly Delights turns painting into movement by Michael Crabb

Celebrated Canadian choreographer Marie Chouinard has turned Hieronymous Bosch's work into dance.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 09:00AM
Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Rankefod takes human evolution on a poetic journey: review by Michael Crabb

Kitt Johnson’s Rankefod, which she first performed in Toronto nine years ago, is enigmatic — more easily felt than explained.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 11:36AM
Thursday, March 30, 2017

National Ballet mixed program allows dancers to shine: review by Michael Crabb

Wayne McGregor’s Genus defies anatomical limits while Balanchine’s Tarantella still sparkles.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:49PM
Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Kalanidhi Indian festival opens with poignant moment by Michael Crabb

Voice of the late Sudha Khandwani heard in narration at Fleck Dance Theatre performance.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:37PM
Monday, March 27, 2017

‘Genus’ shows evolution of choreographer Wayne McGregor by Michael Crabb

The National Ballet of Canada is host the North American premiere of Genus, whose creator drew inspiration from Charles Darwin.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 05:13PM
Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Hari Krishnan looks to ‘slaughter’ stereotypes in latest work by Michael Crabb

The Singapore-born choreographer provides social commentary on prejudice in Holy Cow(s)!

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:37PM
Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Love, Sex & Brahms packs more in its comeback by Michael Crabb

Choreographer James Kudelka's 2015 Dora Award-winning drama features five additional scenes and an expanded cast.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:01AM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards