Toppman on the Arts

Local arts criticism — from touring Broadway shows to community theater and museum exhibits — from longtime critic Lawrence Toppman

At the Gantt Center, art that cannot be broken

Review of three exhibitions that run through January at the Harvey B. Gantt Center, 551 S. Tryon St.

Sep 22, 2026

‘Come From Away’ finds kindness in tragedy

This show runs through Oct. 4 at Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Road

Sep 13, 2026

‘Hell’s Kitchen’ brings Manhattan fire to Charlotte

The Alicia Keys musical runs through Sunday at Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St.

Sep 9, 2026

Charlotte Symphony renews its vows with Kwamé Ryan

The music director has extended his contract through 2032

Sep 8, 2026

‘Sovereignty’ confronts history that still haunts

Three Bone Theatre’s play runs through Sept. 6 at The Arts Factory, 1545 W. Trade St.

Aug 25, 2026

Bechtler exhibit peels back expectations

'Collection, Reframed: Jiha Moon' runs through Nov. 9 at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S. Tryon St.

Aug 18, 2026

When ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ rocks, it rolls

The musical runs through Aug. 23 at the Cain Center in Cornelius

Aug 14, 2026

A Brick Master class

The LEGO exhibition runs through Sept. 7 at Discovery Place, 220 W. Sixth St.

Aug 4, 2026

Run from the sun, toward the laughter

'Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors' runs through Aug. 9 at Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St.

Jul 20, 2026

Walking among dinosaurs in Charlotte

'Life Chronicles' runs through Aug. 30 at Blume Studios, 904 Post St.

Jul 13, 2026

‘Evita’ burns with urgency in Davidson

The Tony-winning musical runs through June 28 in Duke Family Performance Hall on the Davidson College campus

Jun 18, 2026

A modern griot at the Bechtler

'David McGee: The Griot and the Nightingale' runs through Aug. 23 at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S. Tryon St.

Jun 8, 2026

Sparks fly in 'The Notebook'

The musical runs through Sunday at Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St.

May 20, 2026

Oedipus in the barrio

Three Bone Theatre's “Oedipus el Rey” runs through May 24 at the Arts Factory, 1545 W. Trade St.

May 11, 2026

Shattered expectations at Charlotte Ballet

“One Thousand Pieces” runs this weekend only at Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St.

May 8, 2026

A tipsy twist on science

The next "Science on the Rocks" is on May 15 at Discovery Place, 168 W. Sixth St.

May 4, 2026

Caravaggio goes for Baroque

The “Caravaggio/Revolution" exhibit runs through Oct. 25 at The Mint Museum, 500 S. Tryon St.

Apr 30, 2026

Ankhs for the memories

‘Horizon of Khufu’ immersive VR experience runs through Aug. 30 at Blume Studios, 904 Post St.

Apr 27, 2026

‘Stereophonic’ finds gold in a drawn-out studio grind

This show runs through April 26 at Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St.

Apr 16, 2026

When the facts don't matter

'The Lifespan of a Fact' runs through April 26 at Armour Street Theatre in Davidson

Apr 13, 2026

The suffragists still demand a hearing

'Suffs' runs through Sunday at Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St.

Mar 11, 2026

Hope travels fast in 'Esperanza Rising'

'Esperanza Rising' runs at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte in ImaginOn, 300 E. Seventh St., through March 15

Mar 3, 2026

The King of Pop never stood still

'MJ The Musical' runs through March 1 at Belk Theater, 130 N Tryon St.

Feb 25, 2026

Two dances, infinite reach in Charlotte Ballet’s ‘Boundless’

Charlotte Ballet's "Winter Works: Boundless" runs through March 21 at McBride-Bonnefoux Center for Dance, 701 N. Tryon St.

Feb 23, 2026

'The Flick' goes off-stage and out of earshot

The play runs through Saturday (Feb. 21) at Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St.

Feb 16, 2026