2026 Reviews

by: Deitra Oliver Rydell High School and the class of 1959 are taking over the stage at The Ritz Theatre in Haddon Township, NJ, through mid-July, and it is a trip you will want to take. Directed by Bruce A Curless for the 40th Anniversary Season, their production brings familiar characters, songs, and storylines to life with a freshness that is exciting to watch. Working as the assistant to the director is Randi Fowler. Grease tells the story of a group of friends navigati

by Ellorah Maeve What would you do if a fellow actor drops a line in the middle of a show? What happens when a fellow actress passes out in the middle of a scene? If a prop is missing from the stage, how would you improvise? You don’t have to wonder for long when you come to watch The Play That Goes Wrong, written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields at Oakwood Summer Theatre. The play within a play is a murder mystery called The Murder at Haversham Manor, but t

by Deitra Oliver Shakespeare strikes fear into the hearts of many directors, actors, and theatregoers. The language, complex characters and storylines, and the weight of expectation all contribute to why so many shy away from Shakespeare. Shakespeare 70, in association with the Kelsey Theatre, is celebrating their 56th year of sharing Shakespeare’s works and proving why we shouldn’t be afraid not only to watch, but to enjoy these classic plays. Their summer offering is one o

by Ellorah Maeve Reefer Madness started as a movie from the late 1930’s. The film was made as a tried and true public service announcement and propaganda. Now, this PSA is turned into a dark musical satire; written by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney and speaks on the dangers of propaganda and nationalism. This shift from the unknown to the absurd makes for a hilarious night that you would not want to miss. Sober or not, seeing this production truly feels like you are hooked on

by Abby Williams On Friday, June 12th, The Playmasters Theatre Workshop opened its final production of the 2025-2026 season, The Cottage. Written by Sandy Rustin, The Cottage is a hilarious comedic farce full of scandal, charm, and twists and turns galore! Our setting is the English countryside in 1923, where chaos is set in motion when Sylvia (Colleen Mackle) decides to expose her affair to both her husband and to her lover’s wife. After its limited run on Broadway in 2023,

by Michael McKeon This past Sunday South Jersey Theatre Critics (SJTC) was invited to review a new original show, by a new original theatre company, from a very new location. Normally I start my reviews by exclaiming about how great (or not so great) the show I just went to see was. Sometimes I insist on detailing the beautiful architecture and elegant history of the theatres in which the performance is being held. Other times I jump straight into how remarkable the stage d

by Angela Robb As an early childhood educator, I continually find myself returning to the works of Dr. Seuss. His stories are timeless and filled with playful language and memorable characters. Characters like Horton the Elephant, The Grinch, The Lorax, and The Cat in the Hat are recognized and beloved by multiple generations. While I have read Seuss’s works regularly as a child and shared them with countless children over the years, I have never seen Seussical the Musical u

by Devion Watson Musical theatre has a way of pulling you into a completely different world, and Guys and Dolls at Gateway Playhouse did exactly that. From the moment the show began, it was clear this production was going to be full of energy, humor, and heart. Frank Loesser’s classic score combined with strong performances from the cast made for a really enjoyable night at the theatre. As someone who already loves Guys and Dolls, I had high expectations going in, especiall

by Sarah Dorsey Daniel Wallace’s 1998 novel Big Fish tells the tale about a father with larger than life stories, Edward Bloom, and his son, William Bloom, a realist and matter of fact story teller. As William prepares for the arrival of his own son, he sets out to find the truth of his father’s past. Gradually, he realizes that his father’s over the top, mythic stories weren’t necessarily to frustrate him but to teach him about people and life’s greatest challenges. Players

by Deitra Oliver with Guests: Jude (Age 12) and Kendrick (Age 9) Middle school isn’t for the faint of heart. Things like popularity, the Cheese Touch, and the numbers 6 and 7 reign supreme in the hallowed halls of every middle school. My personal recollections of my time there, honestly not that long ago, are fuzzy at best. Since I am not the most reliable source on all things middle school, I brought my nephews, Jude and Kendrick, along with me to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid

by Michael McKeon One consistent hassle in life we can all agree on, regardless of your own personal demographic, is that dealing with salesmen is a necessary evil. Whether it be buying a car, a home, or hell even a cell phone you must sit down at the table and play the game. Then you must decide if this person on the other side of the table is genuine or has a motive. How can you get the best deal? Should you look somewhere else for a better price? The Blue Moon Theatre

by Deitra Oliver Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, presented by The Ritz Theatre Company, directed by Darryl S. Thompson, Jr., is nothing short of a triumph. Set in a fictional African-American tenement called Catfish Row in Charleston, South Carolina, during the early 1920’s, the folk opera tells the story of Porgy, played by Stephan Burse, a disabled black man forced to live as a beggar, and his unlikely love affair with the free-spirited Bess, played by Erica Imani Liburd; both

by Stephen Kreal On Friday, May 15th, I went to see Bridge Players Theater’s production of “Seussical”. This is the last show of their 49th season. The production was directed and choreographed by Joanne Piazza, and stage-managed by Alice Weber. Credit for assistant stage managers is given in the program to Kate Petrovich and Damon Strothers. Seussical was co-produced by Lauren and Marissa DiPilla. Inspired by the Dr. Seuss books, the music was written by Tony Award-winni

by Donald Toal Jukebox musicals have rarely been this reviewer’s cup of tea. Oftentimes they are a fun romp with some catchy earworms but little in the way of deeper, lasting substance (looking at you, “Mamma Mia!”). Sometimes, though, a jukebox musical not only has something meaningful to say, but says it with its full chest and raw honesty. Material that is full of sharp edges, but ones that need to be swallowed. 2018’s Jagged Little Pill: the Musical fits that role t

by Stephen Kreal On Friday, May 8th, I attended the opening night performance of Chicken & Biscuits at South Camden Theater Company. Chicken & Biscuits is written by Douglas Lyons. The play is directed by Damien J. Wallace, with Gabriella Velasquez credited as Assistant Director. This production is stage-managed by August Fen DeLuca. Assisting with stage management are Dione Taylor (ASM), and Samantha Coyle (stage hand). Credit for Props Management is given to Pam Staley. SC

by Aimee Renna The rent is due in Manayunk and the cast is getting their bag at the Ghostlight Players’ completely sold out run of Jonathan Larson’s Rent. This famous show follows the complex lives of several young impoverished artists in New York City during the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Larson’s rock opera was the first of its kind in 1996 and has had a massive lasting impact on Musical Theater as it has evolved through the 21st century. This production at the Venice Island Perfo

by Laura Duffy Despite being one of Stephen Sondheim’s many devotees, I was unfamiliar with his and George Furth’s 1970 musical Company - that is, until this past Friday night. Masquerade Theatre’s opening night performance was nearly sold out and highly energetic, with an audience full of friends and Company fans. For those also unfamiliar, Company is a concept musical about marriage and dating in New York City, and follows Robert (often referred to as Bobby) through a seri

by Meg Bryan Few theatrical experiences have felt as gleefully alive as Maurer Productions OnStage's production of The 39 Steps (at the Kelsey Theatre) as adapted for stage by Patrick Barlow. This show is full of heart with the quartet of a cast delivering a performance that is delightfully unrestrained. There’s a palpable joy in the way the cast navigates its challenges, ignoring limitations and turning theatrical convention on its head. The result is a show that feels sim

by Angela Robb Ever since I started writing for South Jersey Theatre Critics I have been given the opportunity to go to a variety of theaters, including several for the first time. Players Club of Swarthmore has definitely become a favorite of mine. It’s a theatre I can keep returning to with confidence knowing whatever show I see will be top notch. The production quality consistently rivals local regional houses. This confidence in PCS’s storytelling made me especially eage

by Stephen Kreal On Friday, May 1st, I attended the opening night performance of The Pirates of Penzance, the classic operetta written by Gilbert & Sullivan at Burlington County Footlighters Theater in Cinnaminson NJ. The production was directed AND choreographed by Lizi Baldwin. Heidi Kleber acted as stage manager. This spirited and fun musical debuted in 1879, and has remained popular ever since. The opera has been frequently revived, including a popular 1981 Broadway prod

by Sarah Dorsey Well I surely attended the tale of Sweeney Todd this week (opening night no less) at Village Playbox in Haddon Heights, NJ. The musical, book by Hugh Wheeler and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, takes place in 19th-century London on the dark and gothic Fleet Street. The musical tells the tale of Sweeney Todd, once Benjamin Barker, and his accomplice Mrs. Lovett. They work together– barber shop and pie shop– to get revenge on those that falsely accused h

by Sarah Dorsey And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie, tells the haunting tale of ten strangers that were brought together on a remote island by a mystery “U.N. Owen.” While the strangers prepare to settle into the home, they hear an eerie recording through the gramophone accusing each guest of a horrifying past. Tension escalates when the guests begin to die one by one– with each death mirroring the lines of the macabre nursery rhyme hung above the fireplace. Who is

by Deitra Oliver Don’t wait! Get your tickets to see The Last Five Years presented by Cumberland Players and Herrick Theatricals today! This production is one of the many reasons I love community theater: I don’t have to take the train to New York and pay New York prices to see an excellent show. Director Julie Morell brings the popular musical to New Jersey with a clear understanding and care for the story and characters, along with a wonderful eye for detail. The Last Fiv

by Ellorah Maeve The 39 Steps started as an adventure novel by John Buchan in 1915, which started as a weekly series in a magazine. There are many film adaptations; but the most famous version is a spy thriller film from 1935 directed by Alfred Hitchcock, who was also known as the “Master of Suspense”. But for the play, adapted by Patrick Barlow, it was turned from a mystery thriller into a slap stick comedy. Audience members of all ages will enjoy the moments of truth and h