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Saturday Church Off-Broadway Reviews

About the Show

Saturday Church tells the story of Ulysses—New York City kid, devoted son and the fiercest acolyte at his aunt’s church. A chance encounter on the subway introduces him to the... (more info)

Theatre New York Theatre Workshop
Previews Aug 27, 2025
Opened Sep 4, 2025
Critics' Rating
6.71 Mixed
2 Positive
5 Mixed
0 Negative
Readers' Rating
4.00 Mixed
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Critics' Reviews

5
Thumbs Sideways

It’s a Queen Thing, in Saturday Church and Galas

From: Vulture  |  By: Jackson McHenry  |  Date: 9/19/2025

The treacle, in any case, obscures noble intentions. The Trump administration has, especially in the last week, been motive-hunting for any reason to vilify queer and trans people, and so it’s impressive to see a nonprofit risk whatever paltry amou...

8
Thumbs Up

The Fabulous ‘Black Jesus’ Taking New York by Storm

From: The Daily Beast  |  By: Tim Teeman  |  Date: 9/19/2025

The musical—directed by Whitney White, and adapted from Damon Cardasis’ 2017 movie—switches between the heart-tugging register of Ulysses’ sense of isolation, and the snap and pop of its excellent soundtrack (at least two songs should be rele...

From the musical’s opening moments, Tony winner J. Harrison Ghee, in the dual role of Black Jesus and Pastor Lewis, capitalizes on Sia’s catchy score. But the familiar dance beats and melodic riffs aren’t quite enough to make Saturday Church st...

Saturday Church’s heart is in the right place, but its conventionality overpowers the serene joy that comes with just being around your people.

7
Thumbs Sideways

Saturday Church: A Reverent Musical of the Flamboyant Kind

From: New York Stage Review  |  By: Frank Scheck  |  Date: 9/19/2025

There’s still work to be done, especially in terms of tightening and focusing, on the show which clearly has aspirations beyond off-Broadway. And if Cardasis and Ijames can reduce the material of some of its feel-good cliches, Saturday Church just ...

8
Thumbs Up

‘Saturday Church’ Review: Saving Fabulous Souls to Sia’s Music

From: The New York Times  |  By: Brittani Samuel  |  Date: 9/20/2025

The new musical “Saturday Church,” playing at New York Theater Workshop, defends this idea. Though somewhat predictable in narrative, the show offers a bounty of infectious music and electric performances. It reminds audiences that theater is an ...

7
Thumbs Sideways

Saturday Church Review

From: New York Theater  |  By: Jonathan Mandell  |  Date: 9/20/2025

As Ulysses works through the tensions and pressures towards the perhaps-inevitable conciliatory hugs and celebratory voguing, the scenes and songs that depict Ulysses’ developing relationship with Raymond feel the most credible and the most endeari...

Audience Reviews

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