Toronto Star Culture

Toronto culture lives here. Follow along for the latest interviews, reviews, analysis and more from the Star's arts and culture team.

[Richie Assaly @rdassaly]

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.

https://t.co/8qPClnX9bY

[Joshua Chong @joshualdwchong]

Luigi Mangione, the suspected health-care CEO assassin turned folk hero, is the subject of a new musical. Is that depraved or potentially brilliant? https://t.co/MIJDjBx1GO via @torontostar

[Richie Assaly @rdassaly]

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:

https://t.co/MyGk739XRC

[Joshua Chong @joshualdwchong]

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:
https://t.co/IpdEUUj6rZ

[Richie Assaly @rdassaly]

“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:

https://t.co/6gQLvZCn2N

[Richie Assaly @rdassaly]

“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.

[Joshua Chong @joshualdwchong]

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:
https://t.co/FkB7EvoP8w

[Richie Assaly @rdassaly]

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

https://t.co/6gQLvZCn2N

[Richie Assaly @rdassaly]

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.

https://t.co/6gQLvZCn2N

[Emilie Hanskamp @emhanskamp]

Profiled Saya Gray for @TorontoStar

https://t.co/jXWPPkFcpw

[Richie Assaly @rdassaly]

“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).

https://t.co/iZRI3anyCd

[Richie Assaly @rdassaly]

#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." 🔗⬇️

[Joshua Chong @joshualdwchong]

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:
https://t.co/t7IMW2a3lC

[Richie Assaly @rdassaly]

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

[Richie Assaly @rdassaly]

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 👇🏼

[Joshua Chong @joshualdwchong]

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:
https://t.co/acMfRn71tl

[Richie Assaly @rdassaly]

Tim Heidecker + Neil Hamburger performing at the @TheDanforthMH this evening..

A little preview reading for those attending:

https://t.co/cZlJG8wQyv

[Richie Assaly @rdassaly]

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.

https://t.co/uaqvSOjuzf

[Morgan Sevareid-Bocknek @mobocks]

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: https://t.co/Cu8nqsYmzz

[Richie Assaly @rdassaly]

Such a fun read from @MarkColley on the dramatic rise and fall of Canadian Tire money.

https://t.co/694yKPRnYB