Toppman on the Arts

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

Hope travels fast in 'Esperanza Rising'

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

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’

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 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

‘Primary Trust’ banks on subtlety — and cashes in

‘Primary Trust’ banks on subtlety — and cashes in

‘Primary Trust’ runs through Feb. 22 at Three Bone Theater, 1545 W. Trade St.

Feb 10, 2026

Brotherhood, bruises and a rumble worth hearing

Brotherhood, bruises and a rumble worth hearing

'The Outsiders' runs through Feb. 8 at Belk Theater, 130 N Tryon St.

Feb 4, 2026

Ready for lift off

Ready for lift off

"Above and Beyond" runs through April 19 at Discovery Place, 168 W. Sixth St.

Jan 27, 2026

'Spamalot' rides again

'Spamalot' rides again

The show runs through Tuesday (Jan. 27) at Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St.

Jan 21, 2026

A quiet, patient kind of rebellion

A quiet, patient kind of rebellion

‘Renaissance, Romanticism and Rebellion’ runs through Feb. 22 at the Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St.

Jan 13, 2026

When machines dazzle, menace — and maybe outgrow us

When machines dazzle, menace — and maybe outgrow us

"Assembly Lines" runs through Feb. 2 at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S. Tryon St.

Jan 6, 2026

Three Gantt Center exhibits that stir the soul and settle the mind

Three Gantt Center exhibits that stir the soul and settle the mind

The exhibitions run into 2026 at the Gantt Center, 551 S. Tryon St.

Dec 19, 2025

The snow day Charlotte misses (and can finally have)

The snow day Charlotte misses (and can finally have)

"Snow Days" runs through Feb. 1 at Discovery Place, 301 N. Tryon St.

Dec 16, 2025

A Christmas Carol gone rogue — or rouge

A Christmas Carol gone rogue — or rouge

'Scrooge in Rouge' runs through Dec. 20 at Warehouse PAC, 9216 Westmoreland Road

Dec 8, 2025

‘The Magicians Table’ has a few tricks up its sleeve

‘The Magicians Table’ has a few tricks up its sleeve

The magic show runs through Feb. 15 at Blume Studios, 904 Post St.

Nov 28, 2025

The hills are alive more than ever

The hills are alive more than ever

'The Sound of Music' runs through Nov. 23 at Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St.

Nov 19, 2025

Battle lines are drawn in 'Eureka Day'

Battle lines are drawn in 'Eureka Day'

'Eureka Day' runs through Nov. 23 at The Arts Factory, 1545 W. Trade St.

Nov 11, 2025

Charlotte hides in plain sight in 'Christy'

Charlotte hides in plain sight in 'Christy'

'Christy,' filmed mostly in Charlotte, is now playing in theaters everywhere

Nov 7, 2025

No king, all queens in 'SIX'

No king, all queens in 'SIX'

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

Nov 5, 2025

Charlotte Ballet’s ‘Fall Works’ belongs to November

Charlotte Ballet’s ‘Fall Works’ belongs to November

The four-show production runs through Saturday at Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St.

Oct 30, 2025

All aboard 'Orient Express' at Theatre Charlotte

All aboard 'Orient Express' at Theatre Charlotte

‘Murder on the Orient Express’ runs through Nov. 9 at Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Road

Oct 27, 2025

The Mint's double exhibit is kickin’ on multiple levels

The Mint's double exhibit is kickin’ on multiple levels

Both exhibits are on display through Jan. 4 at The Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road

Oct 14, 2025

After more than 60 years, 'A Raisin in the Sun' still stings

After more than 60 years, 'A Raisin in the Sun' still stings

It runs through Sept. 28 at Matthews Playhouse, 100 E. McDowell St., Matthews

Sep 20, 2025

'The Sunset Limited': Wrestling with hope and nothing

'The Sunset Limited': Wrestling with hope and nothing

It runs through Sept. 27 at The Arts Factory, 1545 W. Trade St., at Johnson C. Smith University

Sep 12, 2025

When Jane Austen meets musical theater, sparks don’t fly

When Jane Austen meets musical theater, sparks don’t fly

'Austen’s Pride' runs through Sept. 7 at Knight Theater, 430 S Tryon St.

Sep 4, 2025

‘Collection, Reframed’ turns art into new senses

‘Collection, Reframed’ turns art into new senses

It runs through Sept. 22 at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S. Tryon St.

Aug 27, 2025