Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
@gracingthestage.bsky.social
A&E critic emeritus—Torontoist/AV Club/Now Magazine, etc.
HMCS YORK Recruiter/Master Sailor/BOSN.
Canadian Theatre Critics Association board member, #TheaTO hashtag creator.
Burly #BikeTO boi, karaoke kid, LGBTQ+ Ally. BLM
HMCS YORK Recruiter/Master Sailor/BOSN.
Canadian Theatre Critics Association board member, #TheaTO hashtag creator.
Burly #BikeTO boi, karaoke kid, LGBTQ+ Ally. BLM
Pinned
My 2025 A&E tally: 103 plays, 70+ comedy shows/cabarets/concerts. My 10 fav #TheaTO shows of '25, in chronological order (Honourable Mentions to remounts SALESMAN IN CHINA; MONKS; KIM'S CONVENIENCE; NATASHA, PIERRE, &...; BIG STUFF; & A CHRISTMAS CAROL @ Campbell House), then, solo S/o's, & links.
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
This piece by @johnsemley3000.bsky.social is really good on the roots of SCTV. A well worth it long read.
torontolife.com/culture/unto...
torontolife.com/culture/unto...
Untold stories from the early years of Second City, the group that changed comedy - Toronto Life
An oral history featuring Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Rick Moranis, and more
torontolife.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:34 PM
This piece by @johnsemley3000.bsky.social is really good on the roots of SCTV. A well worth it long read.
torontolife.com/culture/unto...
torontolife.com/culture/unto...
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
Canadians: "SCTV"
everyone else: everything else
everyone else: everything else
CBC: Schitt's Creek
NBC: 30 Rock
AV Club: SCTV
Vulture: A Mighty Wind
USA Today: Home Alone
Jezabel: Beetlejuice
Fox News: just the word "actress"
NBC: 30 Rock
AV Club: SCTV
Vulture: A Mighty Wind
USA Today: Home Alone
Jezabel: Beetlejuice
Fox News: just the word "actress"
January 30, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Canadians: "SCTV"
everyone else: everything else
everyone else: everything else
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
Canadian actress and icon Catherine O'Hara has died, CBC has confirmed. We're updating this story live online. Follow here
www.cbc.ca/news/enterta...
www.cbc.ca/news/enterta...
Legendary Canadian actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71 | CBC
www.cbc.ca
January 30, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Canadian actress and icon Catherine O'Hara has died, CBC has confirmed. We're updating this story live online. Follow here
www.cbc.ca/news/enterta...
www.cbc.ca/news/enterta...
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
Spend your Friday watching Catherine O'Hara being hilarious on SCTV. youtu.be/liOtOSR_Pp0?...
The Dusty Towne Sexy Holiday Special
YouTube video by SCTV
youtu.be
January 30, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Spend your Friday watching Catherine O'Hara being hilarious on SCTV. youtu.be/liOtOSR_Pp0?...
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
Jesus Christ. The "pivot" lasted about 15 minutes.
Arresting a black journalist under the Ku Klux Klan Act for covering a pro-immigration protest at a Christian nationalist church led by an ICE officer is the perfect encapsulation of this administration's authoritarianism, racism, and trolling.
Arresting a black journalist under the Ku Klux Klan Act for covering a pro-immigration protest at a Christian nationalist church led by an ICE officer is the perfect encapsulation of this administration's authoritarianism, racism, and trolling.
NEWS: The Trump regime has arrested Don Lemon in its latest crackdown on journalism after he reported from inside a church protest in Minnesota—despite a magistrate judge previously rejecting the case against him as unsupported by evidence.
January 30, 2026 at 1:28 PM
Jesus Christ. The "pivot" lasted about 15 minutes.
Arresting a black journalist under the Ku Klux Klan Act for covering a pro-immigration protest at a Christian nationalist church led by an ICE officer is the perfect encapsulation of this administration's authoritarianism, racism, and trolling.
Arresting a black journalist under the Ku Klux Klan Act for covering a pro-immigration protest at a Christian nationalist church led by an ICE officer is the perfect encapsulation of this administration's authoritarianism, racism, and trolling.
I was told long ago (by saltier Navy sailors than I) that Flag Whiskey looks like it does b/c that's how your eyes look after downing a bottle.
(And, if you drink a bottle of the sort of whiskey that lower deck sailors typically buy, you will indeed require medical assistance...)
(And, if you drink a bottle of the sort of whiskey that lower deck sailors typically buy, you will indeed require medical assistance...)
January 30, 2026 at 6:00 AM
I was told long ago (by saltier Navy sailors than I) that Flag Whiskey looks like it does b/c that's how your eyes look after downing a bottle.
(And, if you drink a bottle of the sort of whiskey that lower deck sailors typically buy, you will indeed require medical assistance...)
(And, if you drink a bottle of the sort of whiskey that lower deck sailors typically buy, you will indeed require medical assistance...)
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
This is kind of blowing my mind?
Tonight I watched Prime Minister Mark Carney take the actual Heated Rivalry Canada fleece from Hudson Williams, slip it on and say: “This is true soft power.”
January 30, 2026 at 1:38 AM
This is kind of blowing my mind?
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
"Luchs speaks five languages: English, French, Italian, and some German and Russian. She approached grasping Gen Z parlance like she was learning another language.
...An Instagram commenter wrote: 'She’s so natural with it too like it’s not even cringe.'"
...An Instagram commenter wrote: 'She’s so natural with it too like it’s not even cringe.'"
Alison Luchs, who has worked at the National Gallery of Art for 47 years, agreed to learn Gen Z slang and make videos because she wanted to raise interest in the museum’s art.
She never expected to slay. https://wapo.st/45BXc3S
She never expected to slay. https://wapo.st/45BXc3S
January 30, 2026 at 5:14 AM
"Luchs speaks five languages: English, French, Italian, and some German and Russian. She approached grasping Gen Z parlance like she was learning another language.
...An Instagram commenter wrote: 'She’s so natural with it too like it’s not even cringe.'"
...An Instagram commenter wrote: 'She’s so natural with it too like it’s not even cringe.'"
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
Final chance to see terrific A Doll’s House which closes this weekend, along with A Side of Rice, Pain the Musical and Greenhouse Festival. Then just one more week for Company, Troilus & Cressida, Mischief, Pu Songling, New and Kimberly Akimbo. Lots of TO theatre to see!!
January 29, 2026 at 11:13 PM
Final chance to see terrific A Doll’s House which closes this weekend, along with A Side of Rice, Pain the Musical and Greenhouse Festival. Then just one more week for Company, Troilus & Cressida, Mischief, Pu Songling, New and Kimberly Akimbo. Lots of TO theatre to see!!
I saw 3 #TheaTO revivals this week - @torontostage.bsky.social 's (now closed) THE LAST FIVE YEARS; TIFT's COMPANY @theatrecentre.bsky.social ; & CanStage's A DOLL'S HOUSE - & appreciated all 3 made edits, but ultimately trusted the material. Not every "classic" needs a radical reimagining to work!
A Doll's House Trailer
YouTube video by Canadian Stage
youtu.be
January 30, 2026 at 12:01 AM
I saw 3 #TheaTO revivals this week - @torontostage.bsky.social 's (now closed) THE LAST FIVE YEARS; TIFT's COMPANY @theatrecentre.bsky.social ; & CanStage's A DOLL'S HOUSE - & appreciated all 3 made edits, but ultimately trusted the material. Not every "classic" needs a radical reimagining to work!
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
The 47th Annual Rhubarb Festival is happening next week at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre! I got to ask curator @ludmyllareis.bsky.social all about curating the festival and what you can expect!
Rhubarb 47 runs Feb 4-7 at Buddies!
#TheaTO #Theatre #Interview
aviewfromthebox.net/2026/01/29/s...
Rhubarb 47 runs Feb 4-7 at Buddies!
#TheaTO #Theatre #Interview
aviewfromthebox.net/2026/01/29/s...
Stage Door Dialogues – Ludmylla Reis of the Rhubarb Festival
It’s time for the 47th Annual Rhubarb Festival! Hosted by Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, this festival of new works featuring artists from at home and abroad is sure to push boundaries and open mind…
aviewfromthebox.net
January 29, 2026 at 8:25 PM
The 47th Annual Rhubarb Festival is happening next week at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre! I got to ask curator @ludmyllareis.bsky.social all about curating the festival and what you can expect!
Rhubarb 47 runs Feb 4-7 at Buddies!
#TheaTO #Theatre #Interview
aviewfromthebox.net/2026/01/29/s...
Rhubarb 47 runs Feb 4-7 at Buddies!
#TheaTO #Theatre #Interview
aviewfromthebox.net/2026/01/29/s...
How to be a (successful?) stand-up comedian, as per #Toronto's @ryandillon.bsky.social :
How To Be A Comedian | Ryan Dillon
YouTube video by Ryan Dillon
youtu.be
January 29, 2026 at 11:16 PM
How to be a (successful?) stand-up comedian, as per #Toronto's @ryandillon.bsky.social :
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
Fuck this particular Canadian, who brings shame to our country
Camp Bar canceled six sold out Ben Bankas shows after his Renee Good rant went viral.
Here's my story (gift link):
Here's my story (gift link):
St. Paul’s Camp Bar cancels sold-out shows from Canadian comic after he went viral with Renee Good rant
A downtown St. Paul bar and comedy club has canceled six sold-out performances from a comic who went viral after posting jokes about Renee Good, who was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Custo…
www.twincities.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:01 AM
Fuck this particular Canadian, who brings shame to our country
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
I think the power of a song like Bruce Springsteen's "The Streets of Minneapolis" is not just that it cuts right through the moral smoke screen the feds are putting down, and not just that it is very direct, but that it claims the wider scope and vindication of history and the future to come.
January 29, 2026 at 5:49 AM
I think the power of a song like Bruce Springsteen's "The Streets of Minneapolis" is not just that it cuts right through the moral smoke screen the feds are putting down, and not just that it is very direct, but that it claims the wider scope and vindication of history and the future to come.
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
It’s not as though they’re spending their time digging out bike-share stations, which are also part of their portfolio
January 28, 2026 at 6:09 PM
It’s not as though they’re spending their time digging out bike-share stations, which are also part of their portfolio
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
Thank you @ecojusticecanada.bsky.social !
Despite cycling advocates winning a landmark Charter victory last July, Premier #DougFord is challenging the decision in the Ontario Court of Appeal, doubling down on his vision to make more room for cars (& endangering cyclists in the process). We’re not backing down.
LEARN MORE >> bit.ly/49RxLMM
LEARN MORE >> bit.ly/49RxLMM
January 28, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Thank you @ecojusticecanada.bsky.social !
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
January 27, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
Or, Heated Rivalry only exists because of CanCon requirements. Otherwise CTV/Bell/Crave would have just imported another American show.
Just because it's successful doesn't mean that it isn't a product of the ecosystem it was created in.
Just because it's successful doesn't mean that it isn't a product of the ecosystem it was created in.
Opinion: Heated Rivalry shows Canadian content doesn’t need the CRTC’s help
www.hilltimes.com/story/2026/0...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2026/0...
Heated Rivalry shows Canadian content doesn’t need the CRTC’s help
Streaming platforms already give Canadians the tools to seek out the content they want, in the language they want, and the success stories speak for themselves.
www.hilltimes.com
January 22, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Or, Heated Rivalry only exists because of CanCon requirements. Otherwise CTV/Bell/Crave would have just imported another American show.
Just because it's successful doesn't mean that it isn't a product of the ecosystem it was created in.
Just because it's successful doesn't mean that it isn't a product of the ecosystem it was created in.
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
brass solidarity band performing “stand by me” in the streets of whittier next to alex pretti’s memorial. the crowd started chanting “the people united will never be defeated” so they incorporated it into the song. i love minneapolis
January 27, 2026 at 12:22 AM
brass solidarity band performing “stand by me” in the streets of whittier next to alex pretti’s memorial. the crowd started chanting “the people united will never be defeated” so they incorporated it into the song. i love minneapolis
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
I do think that a possibly underrated dynamic in The Horrors is that the Right as it has reconstituted itself under Trump legitimately can’t understand sincere moral or physical courage
January 26, 2026 at 2:13 AM
I do think that a possibly underrated dynamic in The Horrors is that the Right as it has reconstituted itself under Trump legitimately can’t understand sincere moral or physical courage
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
During the Soviet era, at times of govt instability, the state broadcaster would typically preempt scheduled broadcasts by airing performances of Swan Lake
And, tonight, the network's flagship news program -- 60 Minutes -- ran a clip show of old celeb interviews to "celebrate the movies" rather than put together an episode focused on what's going on in Minnesota.
The person who publishes the Free Press — where the words “Minneapolis” and “Minnesota” never appear tonight — also runs CBS News.
January 26, 2026 at 2:59 AM
During the Soviet era, at times of govt instability, the state broadcaster would typically preempt scheduled broadcasts by airing performances of Swan Lake
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
Surround yourself with the kind of people who find the Oxford comma to be illuminative, beautiful, and necessary.
January 25, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Surround yourself with the kind of people who find the Oxford comma to be illuminative, beautiful, and necessary.
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
A reminder to the news media: “conflicting accounts” is what you say BEFORE the incontrovertible video evidence appears. After that, your job is to ask why one side is lying, not to repeat the lie and pretend no one knows the truth.
January 25, 2026 at 12:28 PM
A reminder to the news media: “conflicting accounts” is what you say BEFORE the incontrovertible video evidence appears. After that, your job is to ask why one side is lying, not to repeat the lie and pretend no one knows the truth.