All stories by Michael Crabb on BroadwayStars

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
Sunday, March 12, 2017

Pinocchio a family-friendly theatrical extravaganza: review by Michael Crabb

Skylar Campbell gives heartbreakingly poignant portrayal of wooden wannabe boy from fairy tale.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 01:46PM
Thursday, February 23, 2017

Plenty of life — and emotional power — left in Peggy Baker’s dance projects by Michael Crabb

The 64-year-old dancer and choreographer sets a sombre tone with her performance in the program at The Theatre Centre.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 10:47AM
Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Jose Agudo’s TEN speaks to human migration by Michael Crabb

ACE Music and Dance project has its North American premiere at Harbourfront Feb. 10 through Dance Immersion.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 03:00PM
Monday, February 6, 2017

The Trocks share their love of ballet through funny, fabulous performances by Michael Crabb

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, a world-beloved, all-male comic ballet company, returns to Toronto Friday as part of its current cross-Canada tour.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 09:00AM
Friday, February 3, 2017

Gotterdammerung still speaks to the human condition: review by Michael Crabb

COC’s dramatically sharp production of Wagner epic includes some goose-bump-inducing vocal splendour.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 03:19PM
Thursday, January 26, 2017

Dancer’s new performance inspired by migraine pain by Michael Crabb

Infinite Storms chronicles the fragile connection between body and mind, and how to negotiate the pains of human existence.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 09:00AM
Thursday, January 12, 2017

Batsheva contemporary dance company returns to Toronto by Michael Crabb

The Sony Centre will host the show, which is an evolving celebration of renowned choreographer Ohad Naharin’s first 10 years with the company.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 10:00AM
Sunday, December 11, 2016

James Kudelka’s Nutcracker adds drama to a conventionally sugary story: Review by Michael Crabb

The National Ballet of Canada’s bestselling Nutcracker performance proved its version continues to deliver in spades during this season’s opening this weekend.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 03:34PM
Friday, December 9, 2016

How The Nutcracker went from failure to beloved holiday tradition by Michael Crabb

Critics called it kids’ stuff in 1892. Now it’s essential programming for companies like the National Ballet of Canada.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 06:05PM
Thursday, November 17, 2016

Red-Crowned Crane a ballet bird of a different feather by Michael Crabb

Ballet from Wuxi Song and Dance Theatre conveys Chinese themes with a Canadian choreographer, Peter Quanz.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 08:00AM
Sunday, November 13, 2016

National Ballet of Canada’s Cinderella is embodiment of the heart’s desire: review by Michael Crabb

Kudelka’s reading of the rags-to-riches fairy tale is unconventional, but not so radical as to upset traditionalists.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 04:09PM
Saturday, November 12, 2016

Emma Hawes has her Cinderella moment by Michael Crabb

National Ballet of Canada second soloist takes on strenuous lead role in James Kudelka's production.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 08:00AM
Thursday, June 16, 2016

Luminato video project exposes the naked truth in dance by Michael Crabb

DA Hoskins presents 20-minute installation that is raw, poetic, mysterious.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:13PM

National Ballet proves Giselle is no dance fossil: review by Michael Crabb

Svetlana Lunkina and Harrison James bring beautiful dancing and dramatic depth to 175-year-old ballet.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 11:31AM
Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Five decades of keeping Giselle from being boring by Michael Crabb

Choreographer Peter Wright wasn’t impressed when he first saw the ballet in 1945. He’s gone on to make it his own.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 08:00AM
Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Monumental at Luminato lives up to its name by Michael Crabb

Dance work brings together Vancouver's Holy Body Tattoo and Montreal's Godspeed You! Black Emperor live.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:28PM
Sunday, June 5, 2016

National Ballet adaptation of Le Petit Prince rarely stirs the soul: review by Michael Crabb

Impassioned dancing and choreography brought the audience to its feet but couldn’t capture the original story’s moving imagery.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 04:45PM
Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Le Petit Prince aspires to the ballet throne by Michael Crabb

National Ballet of Canada seeks a new classic with Guillaume Côté 's first full-length ballet, debuting June 4.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 08:00AM
Friday, May 27, 2016

Toronto Dance Theatre’s Marienbad enigmatic but compelling: review by Michael Crabb

Jordan Tannahill and Christopher House duet has universal resonances about the elusive search for intimacy.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 11:29AM
Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Riverdance still packs irresistible charm: review by Michael Crabb

High-stepping, quicksilver dancing brings audience to their feet at Toronto opening.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 02:56PM
Saturday, May 7, 2016

Against Nature appeals to audience with taste for “new opera” by Michael Crabb

Citadel Theatre production, directed by James Kudelka, is adapted from the 1884 novel considered in its time a prime example of "decadent literature."

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:01AM
Thursday, April 21, 2016

Show pays tribute to the art of flamenco by Michael Crabb

The Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company highlights the work of different flamenco artists, dancers and musicians through the 20th century.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 10:00AM
Monday, April 18, 2016

Native Earth Performing Arts adds dance as a new way to share aboriginal artistic expression by Michael Crabb

The oldest professional indigenous theatre company in Canada will offer a double bill of contemporary aboriginal choreography.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 06:00AM
Monday, April 11, 2016

Dancers and visual artists team up in Singular Bodies by Michael Crabb

More performers and artists are breaking out of their traditional categories to work on “pan-disciplinary” projects.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 01:55PM
Thursday, April 7, 2016

Jackie Burroughs is Dead strips away emotion to help move past grief by Michael Crabb

Dance inspired by late actor is keenly focused on the very act of the body in motion.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 06:30AM
Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Move It! workshops introduce young and old to dance by Michael Crabb

“The goal is to create this open, trusting, non-judgmental atmosphere,” says dancer and choreographer Joe Laughlin.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 04:06PM
Monday, March 28, 2016

The turbulent 20s laid bare onstage in Sabina Perry's Funny/Funeral by Michael Crabb

Burying the past is one theme in choreographer's solo works, danced by Perry and old friend Molly Johnson.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:00PM
Thursday, March 17, 2016

Former Bolshoi and Stuttgart stars debut in National Ballet's Romeo and Juliet by Michael Crabb

Svetlana Lunkina and Evan McKie take on lead roles in March 20 performance at Four Seasons Centre.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 10:18AM

Step by step, dancer recovers from Lyme disease by Michael Crabb

Brendan Saye faces first big challenge since his return dancing lead in National Ballet of Canada's Romeo and Juliet.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 10:12AM

Ballet Jorgen's Sleeping Beauty aims to 'keep young audiences awake’ by Michael Crabb

New spin on one of the great heritage ballets picks up the pace, goes back to fairy tale’s roots.

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