The Larry At-Large files: A collection of arts reviews by Lawrence Toppman
The Ledger's arts critic, Lawrence Toppman, takes you inside some of Charlotte's most noteworthy productions
Check out these articles by Charlotte Ledger arts critic Lawrence Toppman, who has been writing about Charlotte’s arts and culture scene for more than 40 years:
“Bechtler’s twin exhibits: Daze of line and Rojas” (Nov. 18, 2024)
“Pointed ‘JaJa’ may give your preconceptions a twist” (Nov. 11, 2024)
“‘1984,’ now at Theatre Charlotte, never goes out of date” (Oct. 27, 2024)
“‘& Juliet:’ There’s a Will, but no way” (Oct. 23, 2024)
“Charlotte Ballet goes ‘Beyond the Surface’ with enigmatic performances” (Oct. 6, 2024)
“Dylanesque ‘Girl from the North Country’: Glowing in the mind” (Oct. 3, 2024)
“‘School of Rock:’ The kids are alright” (Sept. 21, 2024)
“‘The Drowsy Chaperone' makes innocence irresistible” (Sept. 8, 2024)
“Three Bone’s ‘Mojada’ — not a dry eye in the house” (August 10, 2024)
“‘Ripcord’: A serious little comedy livens the summer in Davidson” (July 22, 2024)
“Nostalgia can’t save ‘Back to the Future’ musical, in any era” (July 11, 2024)
“Almost 2 decades in, ‘Squawks’ humor still flies” (June 13, 2024)
“What makes even a rained-out Summer Pops concert unique?” (June 10, 2024)
“‘Thoughts’ a dramatized mosaic of Black male experience” (May 10, 2024)
“‘Hadestown’ — a cool night in hell” (May 8, 2024)
“‘Swan Lake’ raises the barre for Charlotte Ballet” (May 5, 2024)
“Musical ‘Doubtfire’ hits mark, doesn't miss Robin Williams” (May 1, 2024)
“Symphony draws a diverse crowd with first ‘CSO Roadshow’” (April 29, 2024)
“Review: Small message in an oversized ‘Bottle’” (April 5, 2024)
“Review: A pulsing ‘Moulin Rouge!’ that earns its exclamation point” (March 21, 2024)
“Review: ‘Moon’ rises high at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte” (March 10, 2024)
“Review: Touring ‘Peter Pan' is a Never Land for kids, ‘Never!’ Land for purists” (March 6, 2024)
“Review: Theatre Charlotte rises to ‘The Mountaintop’” (Feb. 17, 2024)
“Review: ‘Mean Girls’ still seems sweet after 20 years” (Feb. 14, 2024)
“Review: ‘Confederates’ — Civil war, culture war” (Feb. 11, 2024)
“Review: Theatre Charlotte’s ‘Rumors’ is a mid-winter pick-me-up” (Jan. 29, 2024)
“Review: 'Craft Across Continents' will get you thinking — and smiling” (Jan. 22, 2024)
“Review: With dance-vibey ‘Bazzar,’ Cirque du Soleil brings its stunt-filled, big-top thrill” (Dec. 17, 2023)
“A critic’s 5 takeaways from Charlotte Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’” (Dec. 9, 2023)
“Review: Chilly, clever production reimagines 'Company' in unsettling ways” (Nov. 22, 2023)
“Review: ‘The Lehman Trilogy’ succeeds in showcasing banking family's rise and ruin” (Nov. 5, 2023)
“Review: A 'Funny Girl' production worthy of revival” (Oct. 18, 2023)
“Review: Charlotte Ballet gloriously stretches boundaries in season opener” (Oct. 14, 2023)
“The fall and rise of Theatre Charlotte” (June 2, 2023)
“For new symphony season, a change in tune” (March 25, 2023)
“A walk through Picasso’s ‘Landscapes’” (Feb. 18, 2023)
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