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South Jersey Theatre Critics is an independent volunteer organization dedicated to providing thoughtful, honest reviews of community theatre throughout South Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia region.
Since May 2023, our team of 32 volunteer reviewers has published more than 220 reviews covering productions at 28 theatre organizations.
LATEST REVIEWS


Sherlock Gets a Hilarious Makeover in Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson at Langhorne Players
by Mike McKeon You would probably be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t recognize the name Sherlock Holmes. A name synonymous with excitement, adventure, and mystery all rolled into one. I personally, am a huge Sherlock Holmes fan. I remember reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1892, when I was in 7th grade. I absolutely fell in love with the short stories and I read whatever else I could find in the school library related
3 days ago4 min read


The American Dream takes Center Stage at The Levoy with Death of a Salesman
by Abigail Williams The crushing weight of the American Dream is taking center stage in South Jersey. The Levoy Theatre kicked off their run of one of the most famous plays of all time, Death of a Salesman on October 2nd, 2026. Even if we haven’t seen the play, we’ve all heard of this masterpiece of a story. As both a first-time viewer of Death of Salesman and guest at The Levoy Theatre, I had high expectations for this legendary tragedy. Thankfully, the opening night perfor
5 days ago7 min read


Does Sweeney Todd at HPP Make the Cut?
by Deitra Oliver While a visit to The Demon Barber of Fleet Street may not be on your list of places to get a haircut, you will certainly want to put this show on your to-do list to kick off ‘spooky season.’ Directed by Drew Molotsky, with Abby Drexler as assistant director, Haddonfield Plays and Players brings Stephen Sondheim’s 1979 musical to glorious, murderous life. I was fortunate to attend the sold-out opening night, and the richness of the performances and the strong
Oct 15 min read


Discover Your Purpose on Avenue Q at Masquerade Theatre
by Shannon Reed Please note this show is not suitable for younger audiences. This review makes note of songs and storylines that are not for young readers. Figuring out your purpose in life is a quintessential part of young adulthood, or at least that’s what the world tells us all. The truth, however, is that most of us don’t have it figured out, maybe ever. This question, however, is one of the guiding lights of Avenue Q, currently on stage at Masquerade Theatre. Direc
Sep 305 min read


“Get Ready” and remember to wear your uniform to Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?
by Ellorah Maeve Growing up and going to high school during the 2020's can be overwhelming. You have to worry about grades, social life and self-discovery over the span of 12 years before, eventually, being launched into adulthood to figure out everything else. Whether you go to public school or catholic school, a lot of struggles are the same. In the musical Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, the audience learns about the nuances of catholic education through
Sep 294 min read


Your Perfect 5 to 9 After a Long 9 to 5: Gateway Playhouse Delivers for Dolly
by Piper Byrne Some nights at the theatre are just meant to be. Friday, September 25 (that’s 9/25) was Dolly Parton Day, the first since we lost her last month. I spent it in Somers Point watching Gateway Playhouse’s 9 to 5: The Musical, and there was truly no better way to celebrate. In his Director’s Note, Philip Palitto shares that the company chose this show a year ago, never imagining they’d be staging it so soon after Dolly’s passing. Somewhere along the way, he write
Sep 284 min read


Ask not for whom the bells of Notre Dame toll…they toll for thee. That is, if you see The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Burlington County Footlighters from now until October 3rd!
by CJ Higgins Younger audiences may be familiar with Disney’s 1996 film adaptation of the novel by Victor Hugo, but perhaps not with the extremely mixed reviews upon its initial release. The main issue was the tone; Hugo’s novel is large enough that it could have reasonably served as one of the bricks of the famous cathedral, each page darker in its subject matter than the last, but Disney films are primarily known for being cheerful family musicals that can keep kids seated
Sep 245 min read


Here’s Your All-Access Backstage Pass to Wonderland at The Kelsey Theatre
by Shirley Erwin As a fan of retellings, I vaguely remember hearing about a musical based on Alice in Wonderland. Wonderland, with music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Jack Murphy, and book by Gregory Boyd and Jack Murphy, did indeed have a brief stint on Broadway in 2011. It closed due to negative reviews, but was recently given a second chance with a revised book by Jennifer Paulson-Lee and Gabriel Barre. Although Wonderland is a topsy-turvy journey riddled with puzzles and
Sep 244 min read


"The Women" at Old Academy Players
by Robert Banskter If you’re anything like me, you love the tea. Drinking the tea, Spilling the tea, and Living your Tea. If you don’t know what I mean by “Tea” it is queer lingo for the truth. But when the Tea is steeped in malice and conceit, it goes by the name Gossip. “The Women” by Claire Boothe Luce is a satirical commentary on New York Social Life in the 1930s. It is such an enamoring story and has lessons and comments that are still so prevalent in today’s world.
Sep 236 min read
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