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)
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.
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
January 25, 2026 at 1:18 AM
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
A native born U.S. citizen; a 37 yr old ICU nurse, who worked at a veteran's hospital. He had a concealed carry pistol, but it was removed from his waistband by an ICE agent, while he was pinned to the ground by a half dozen others.
And then they shot him dead.
And then they shot him dead.
January 24, 2026 at 9:08 PM
A native born U.S. citizen; a 37 yr old ICU nurse, who worked at a veteran's hospital. He had a concealed carry pistol, but it was removed from his waistband by an ICE agent, while he was pinned to the ground by a half dozen others.
And then they shot him dead.
And then they shot him dead.
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
Also playing for another week or longer are Company at The Theatre Centre, Pu Songling at Crow's Theatre, Mischief at Tarragon Theatre, A Doll’s House at Canadian Stage, Kimberly Akimbo and & Juliet at Mirvish Productions
January 24, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Also playing for another week or longer are Company at The Theatre Centre, Pu Songling at Crow's Theatre, Mischief at Tarragon Theatre, A Doll’s House at Canadian Stage, Kimberly Akimbo and & Juliet at Mirvish Productions
Seeing LAST FIVE YEARS today; saw A QUESTION... (debate WRT artists supporting/acquescing to facism personified as Riefenstahl is confronted by a person traumatized by her filmmaking) & DEAD OF WINTER (fun cabaret X2 of schlock horror inspired theatre, sold out!) Already. Layer up & go out! #TheaTO
Reminder that it’s the final weekend for A Cabaret for the End of the World at Vault Creation Lab, The Last 5 Years at Terminal Theatre, A Question of Character at Aki Studio and Dead of Winter at Red Sandcastle.
January 24, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Seeing LAST FIVE YEARS today; saw A QUESTION... (debate WRT artists supporting/acquescing to facism personified as Riefenstahl is confronted by a person traumatized by her filmmaking) & DEAD OF WINTER (fun cabaret X2 of schlock horror inspired theatre, sold out!) Already. Layer up & go out! #TheaTO
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
"I have privilege. I was medically retired, I'm a combat vet, I'm white, I'm middle class. If I can't advocate for people who need it, then who else is going to do it? Who else is going to stand up and speak truth to power?" abcnews.go.com/US/army-vet-...
Army vet detained by ICE for 8 hours says he wasn't allowed to call an attorney
Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient William Vermie told ABC News that he was tackled and arrested by ICE in Minneapolis and held for eight hours.
abcnews.go.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:08 PM
"I have privilege. I was medically retired, I'm a combat vet, I'm white, I'm middle class. If I can't advocate for people who need it, then who else is going to do it? Who else is going to stand up and speak truth to power?" abcnews.go.com/US/army-vet-...
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
I will be another voice to say, I have watched the video and you do not need to watch it unless you doubt what is being said.
There is no ambiguity.
Agents dogpile a person, he is on the ground, one of them starts clubbing with a pistol and then fires repeatedly. Even after the body is still.
There is no ambiguity.
Agents dogpile a person, he is on the ground, one of them starts clubbing with a pistol and then fires repeatedly. Even after the body is still.
January 24, 2026 at 4:18 PM
I will be another voice to say, I have watched the video and you do not need to watch it unless you doubt what is being said.
There is no ambiguity.
Agents dogpile a person, he is on the ground, one of them starts clubbing with a pistol and then fires repeatedly. Even after the body is still.
There is no ambiguity.
Agents dogpile a person, he is on the ground, one of them starts clubbing with a pistol and then fires repeatedly. Even after the body is still.
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
National media should really be covering the fact thay every major school, museum, and arts institution in the Twin Cities, and hundreds of local businesses are closed tomorrow to protest federal occupation.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
January 22, 2026 at 8:25 PM
National media should really be covering the fact thay every major school, museum, and arts institution in the Twin Cities, and hundreds of local businesses are closed tomorrow to protest federal occupation.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
From the creator of Heated Rivalry
Can't believe this Letterkenny clip of a bunch of far right shitheels getting stomped isn't around more youtu.be/JObnr5e0TIg?...
Letterkenny - Natives and Hicks vs The Hard Right
YouTube video by ColdDayInHell
youtu.be
January 21, 2026 at 9:12 PM
From the creator of Heated Rivalry
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
For CBC Arts, I wrote about why I think Canada needs to revel in the beauty of its weirdest impulses www.cbc.ca/arts/canadia...
OPINION | Canadian TV needs to get weird again | CBC Arts
In the ‘80s and ‘90s, English Canadian screens were filled with bizarre, fever dream-like shows. Writer Niko Stratis argues that we need to back to that
www.cbc.ca
January 21, 2026 at 8:42 PM
For CBC Arts, I wrote about why I think Canada needs to revel in the beauty of its weirdest impulses www.cbc.ca/arts/canadia...
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
We are building and financing a corrupt detention/industrial complex. It’s human trafficking, and it has to end.
January 21, 2026 at 9:45 PM
We are building and financing a corrupt detention/industrial complex. It’s human trafficking, and it has to end.
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
I’ve never seen more Americans quoting a Canadian prime minister than today (I think).
“We know the old order is not coming back. We shouldn’t mourn it. Nostalgia is not a strategy… The powerful have their power. But we have something, too: the capacity to stop pretending.”
— Canadian PM Mark Carney at Davos, basically announcing divorce from America and receiving a standing ovation
— Canadian PM Mark Carney at Davos, basically announcing divorce from America and receiving a standing ovation
January 21, 2026 at 12:51 AM
I’ve never seen more Americans quoting a Canadian prime minister than today (I think).
Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)
Two divergent but related things I think about a lot:
-Vonnegut saying he would place Cheers above anything he’d written
-Schulz taking it for granted that ppl reading a newspaper comic would get jokes about Joseph Conrad and Beethoven
-Vonnegut saying he would place Cheers above anything he’d written
-Schulz taking it for granted that ppl reading a newspaper comic would get jokes about Joseph Conrad and Beethoven
"If you watch an episode of Cheers, you might hear references to foreign filmmakers, to classical musicians, to Russian novelists. The level of assumed knowledge back then was far greater; now, TV is rarely adventurous in its allusions."
TV brain rot: The real reason television shows are getting stupider www.the-independent.com/arts-enterta...
January 21, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Two divergent but related things I think about a lot:
-Vonnegut saying he would place Cheers above anything he’d written
-Schulz taking it for granted that ppl reading a newspaper comic would get jokes about Joseph Conrad and Beethoven
-Vonnegut saying he would place Cheers above anything he’d written
-Schulz taking it for granted that ppl reading a newspaper comic would get jokes about Joseph Conrad and Beethoven