The new Sia musical Saturday Church opened at Off-Broadway's New York Theatre Workshop September 19, and the reviews are in. See what critics are saying about the new musical—written by book writer and additional lyricists Damon Cardasis and James Ijames and additional composer Honey Dijon, along with Sia—below.
The extended run is set to continue through October 19. Whitney White (The Last Five Years) is at the helm.
Saturday Church tells the story of Ulysses, a New York City kid who is also the fiercest tenor at his aunt’s church. A chance encounter on the subway introduces him to the world of Saturday Church, a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ youth. According to press notes, Saturday Church boldly asks, “Is faith only for the Holy?” and “Are there any queens in the house?!!!!” The work is adapted from Cardasis' film of the same name.
Leading the cast are Bryson Battle and Tony winners J. Harrison Ghee and Joaquina Kalukango, sharing the stage with B Noel Thomas (SuperYou), Anania (Gaydar), Primo Thee Ballerino (CATS: The Jellicle Ball), Veyonce Deleon (Being the Digital Griot), Dava Huesca (CATS: The Jellicle Ball), Kristolyn Lloyd (Liberation), Kareem Marsh (Goddess), Jackson Kanawha Perry (Stuntboy: In the Meantime), Caleb Quezon (Kinky Boots!), Damani Van Rensalier (BOOP! The Musical), and Wade Watson (Goddess). Swings Fernell Hogan (Kimberly Akimbo), Michael Samarie George (The Wiz), and J'Quay Gibbs (RENT) round out the company.
Read the reviews below.
1 Minute Critic (Matthew Wexler)
CitiTour NYC (Brian Scott Lipton)
New York Stage Review (Frank Scheck)
New York Theater (Jonathan Mandell)
New York Theatre Guide (Kyle Turner)
The New York Times (Brittani Samuel)*
*This review may require creating a free account or paid subscription.
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
Saturday Church features music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Special Tony Award recipient Jason Michael Webb (MJ The Musical) and Grammy winner Luke Solomon (Beyonce’s Renaissance), and choreography by Obie winner Darrell Grand Moultrie (Fat Ham). The production also features scenic design by David Zinn (Stereophonic), costume design by Qween Jean (CATS: The Jellicle Ball), lighting design by Adam Honoré (CATS: "The Jellicle Ball"), and sound design by Gareth Owen (Hell’s Kitchen). Music direction is by Deah Love Harriott (for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf), with music production by Grammy winner Chris Penny (Beyonce’s Renaissance). Casting is by Nicholas Petrovich and Erica Hart. Jhanaë K-C Bonnick serves as stage manager.
Also on the creative team are Darius Thomas (Semblance) as hair and wig designer, Rachel Christopher (for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf) as vocal coach, Dave Anzuelo of Unkle Dave's Fighthouse (Merrily We Roll Along) as fight choreographer, and Kelsey Rainwater (Jordans) as intimacy coordinator.
A 14-track concept album digitally released August 22 via Joy Machine Records. A physical LP edition of the album dropped August 28 and is available for purchase at New York Theatre Workshop and from JoyMachineRecords.com.
Saturday Church is produced by special arrangement with Tim Levy and Cindy Tolan.
Visit NYTW.org.
Damani Van Rensalier, Wade Wilson, Kareem Marsh, Bryson Battle, and Jackson Kanawha Perry in Saturday Church
Veyonce Deleon, B Noel Thomas, Joaquina Kalukango, Kareem Marsh, and Damani Van Rensalier in Saturday Church
J. Harrison Ghee in Saturday Church
Anania, B Noel Thomas, and Caleb Quezon in Saturday Church
Bryson Battle and company of Saturday Church
J. Harrison Ghee and Bryson Battle in Saturday Church
Company of Saturday Church
Company of Saturday Church
Kristolyn Lloyd in Saturday Church
