Isabella Perrone

Isabella Perrone

Isabella Perrone is a writer with a love for musicals and theatre that goes all the way back to her childhood. Born and raised in St. Catharines, ON, she would blast Broadway cast albums at home on Saturday mornings and in the family minivan until she knew them by heart. She fell in love with arts journalism in high school when her local newspaper started a program to get young writers attending and reviewing local theatrical productions. 


That opportunity led her to pursue and complete a degree in Journalism at Ryerson University in downtown Toronto, surrounded by the largest theatre district in Canada. After finishing school in 2018, she joined BroadwayWorld and completed the Emerging Arts Critics programme to develop her abilities as an arts writer. Isabella's goal is to use her current position as BroadwayWorld Toronto's Lead Editor to promote live theatre and get more people interested in Toronto's thriving arts scene.






MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

Review: HADESTOWN Proves You Can Live it Up on Top and Below in Stunning Toronto Production
Review: HADESTOWN Proves You Can Live it Up on Top and Below in Stunning Toronto Production
July 11, 2023

Four years after its Broadway premiere, Anaïs Mitchell’s Tony-winning musical HADESTOWN, developed with and directed by Rachel Chavkin, has finally made its way down to Toronto. With a touring crew of powerhouses, both in the cast and in the band (led by Eric Kang), the retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice comes to life beautifully onstage at the Royal Alexandra Theatre.

Review: HAMILTON's Triumphant Return To Toronto Proves You Need To Be In The Room Where It Happens
Review: HAMILTON's Triumphant Return To Toronto Proves You Need To Be In The Room Where It Happens
February 28, 2023

HAMILTON takes another shot at Toronto as the production returns as part of Mirvish’s 2022/23 season. The show ran briefly in 2020 before it was forced to close early due to the pandemic, meaning many Canadian audiences who’ve been waiting for it the last three years will finally have the chance to experience the groundbreaking show live.

Review: Atom Egoyan's SALOME Is A Dark, Twisted Descent Into Tragedy
Review: Atom Egoyan's SALOME Is A Dark, Twisted Descent Into Tragedy
February 14, 2023

The story of a doomed, distorted princess from biblical infamy makes for an uncomfortable, heavy watch. It also makes for incredible operatic moments, and a gripping, sensory experience, all in under two hours.

Review: Mozart's Beloved Comic Opera THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Takes A Gloriously Chaotic Turn At Canadian Opera Company
Review: Mozart's Beloved Comic Opera THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Takes A Gloriously Chaotic Turn At Canadian Opera Company
February 2, 2023

The Canadian Opera Company presents this production of THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, originally created by the Salzburg Festival, as part of its 2023 season. Directed here by Claus Guth, some of Mozart's most recognizable operatic works come to life through the COC Orchestra, conducted by Harry Bicket.

Review: JOSEPH AND THE TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT Dazzles in Imaginative New Production
Review: JOSEPH AND THE TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT Dazzles in Imaginative New Production
December 19, 2022

The highly acclaimed production of JOSEPH AND THE TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT has made its way to Toronto. Presented now by Mirvish and directed by Laurence Connor, its premise is straightforward - the Narrator (Vanessa Fisher) is retelling the biblical tale of Joseph (Jac Yarrow) to a group of children.

Review: THE NUTCRACKER Brings The Classic Ballet To Life In Toronto This December
Review: THE NUTCRACKER Brings The Classic Ballet To Life In Toronto This December
December 14, 2022

The National Ballet of Canada has brought its beloved production of THE NUTCRACKER back to the stage for the holiday season. Originally created in 1995 and now choreographed (with libretto) by James Kudelka, the production is grand, whimsical, and performed beautifully by all cast members to make for a magical evening at the ballet.

Review: PETER'S FINAL FLIGHT Takes Audiences On A Whimsical Adventure in Ross Petty's Farewell Production
Review: PETER'S FINAL FLIGHT Takes Audiences On A Whimsical Adventure in Ross Petty's Farewell Production
December 13, 2022

Looking for an escape this winter season? Ross Petty’s final holiday pantomime is whisking audiences away to Neverland on a whimsical, musical adventure that’s got something for everyone, no matter their age.

Review: FISHERMANS FRIENDS THE MUSICAL makes for a reel-ly fun night out
Review: FISHERMANS FRIENDS THE MUSICAL makes for a reel-ly fun night out
December 5, 2022

While a musician underdog story isn’t a brand new concept, it’s refreshing to see it done so well - and luckily for audiences, FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS THE MUSICAL is packed to the gills with gorgeous music and vocal performances. 

Review: CHOIR BOY Strikes All The Right Chords At The Bluma Appel Theatre,
Review: CHOIR BOY Strikes All The Right Chords At The Bluma Appel Theatre,
November 16, 2022

As far as coming-of-age stories go, many are predictable and follow a pretty standard template. Thankfully for CHOIR BOY, written by acclaimed playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney, the story maintains all the charms of the genre while still embarking on a more unique take.

Review: MEAN GIRLS Gets Fetching Stage Adaptation That'll Thrill Fans of The Film
Review: MEAN GIRLS Gets Fetching Stage Adaptation That'll Thrill Fans of The Film
November 1, 2022

Mirvish’s production of MEAN GIRLS brings the cult-classic film to life, packed full of iconic lines, loveable characters, and featuring a soundtrack full of funny, new music.

Review: CARMEN Burns Bright in Canadian Opera Company's Latest Production
Review: CARMEN Burns Bright in Canadian Opera Company's Latest Production
October 25, 2022

Quite possibly one of the best known opera comiques, CARMEN has returned to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts’ stage in a bright blaze.

Review: THE FLYING DUTCHMAN is a Haunting, Stunning Retelling of The Classic Folk Tale
Review: THE FLYING DUTCHMAN is a Haunting, Stunning Retelling of The Classic Folk Tale
October 12, 2022

The Canadian Opera Company’s 2010 production of Wagner's THE FLYING DUTCHMAN has sailed back to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts’ stage. Originally directed by Christopher Alden, this production sees Marilyn Gronsdal take the helm.

Review: Sharp concept helps keep THE SHARK IS BROKEN afloat
Review: Sharp concept helps keep THE SHARK IS BROKEN afloat
October 3, 2022

What do you get when you place three actors at varying points in their careers on a boat, anchor them in the Atlantic Ocean, add a faulty mechanical shark to the equation, and delay shooting for weeks on end?

Review: When it rains, it pours - SINGIN' IN THE RAIN makes a splash in Toronto
Review: When it rains, it pours - SINGIN' IN THE RAIN makes a splash in Toronto
October 2, 2022

In a world where films are constantly being adapted for the stage, it’s refreshing to see a stage production that came from a movie and still shines like the sun on a rainy day, despite the difference in medium.

Review: & JULIET is an Empowering Celebration of Life, Love, and the Freedom to Be Yourself
Review: & JULIET is an Empowering Celebration of Life, Love, and the Freedom to Be Yourself
July 10, 2022

Gone are the days where Juliet is a tragic, gone-to-soon character in a Shakespeare play; she’s given a new lease on life in a new musical, with a diverse cast of characters and enough pop power anthems to have audiences dancing in their seats, no matter their age.

Review: HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD Bewitches In Canadian Premiere
Review: HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD Bewitches In Canadian Premiere
June 20, 2022

Mirvish has brought a truly spellbinding production to the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre this season. After over two years sitting empty, the theatre was packed on an opening weekend showing of the latest show in their 2022 season: the Canadian premiere of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD.

BWW Review: SWAN LAKE Soars in New National Ballet of Canada Production
BWW Review: SWAN LAKE Soars in New National Ballet of Canada Production
June 14, 2022

It’s been nearly two years since the National Ballet of Canada had planned on premiering their new SWAN LAKE, but in this case late is definitely better than never. The stunning new production, directed by former Artistic Director Karen Kain, has finally arrived on the Four Seasons Centre’s stage.  

BWW Review: THE MAGIC FLUTE makes a triumphant return to Toronto
BWW Review: THE MAGIC FLUTE makes a triumphant return to Toronto
May 9, 2022

If you’ve ever wanted to experience Mozart’s work live, there’s no time like the present to do so in Toronto. The Canadian Opera Company has brought their acclaimed production of THE MAGIC FLUTE back - delayed after a few years of theatre shut-downs, but better late than never in the case of this fantastical, funny, and thought-provoking story.

BWW Review: LA TRAVIATA's Powerhouse Cast and Crew Provide a Timeless, Stunning Production of The Verdi Classic at the Canadian Opera Company
BWW Review: LA TRAVIATA's Powerhouse Cast and Crew Provide a Timeless, Stunning Production of The Verdi Classic at the Canadian Opera Company
April 27, 2022

The Canadian Opera Company marked its return-to-stage after nearly two years with this all-around stunning production of one of Verdi’s most well-known works. Clocking in at just shy of three hours, the four-act opera tells the tale of Parisian courtesan Violetta (Amina Edris, making her COC debut) and her lover Alfredo (Matthew Polenzani).

BWW Review: Jake Epstein offers audiences a glimpse behind the curtain in BOY FALLS FROM THE SKY
BWW Review: Jake Epstein offers audiences a glimpse behind the curtain in BOY FALLS FROM THE SKY
April 25, 2022

“What do you do when life disappoints you?” is the question asked in the program of Jake Epstein’s BOY FALLS FROM THE SKY. For Epstein, his life and career have been intertwined since childhood, with his dreams of performing woven into many choices he’s made.






Videos