By AJ Jaffari
Leave it to Bob Fosse to turn heartbreak and hustle into a full-blown song-and-dance spectacle. Sweet Charity, now playing at San Jose Stage, is a dazzling, bittersweet ride through the smoky clubs and broken dreams of 1960s New York—with jazz hands, go-go boots, and a whole lot of heart. I walked into this show expecting something stylish and cynical, and it more than lived up to the glitter.
The story follows Charity Hope Valentine, an eternally optimistic dance hall hostess whose bad luck with men is only matched by her ability to pick herself back up—again and again. As she stumbles through a series of misadventures in love and life, we’re pulled into a world that’s as glamorous as it is grimy, where every flashy number hides a little desperation underneath the sequins.
What makes this revival feel fresh isn’t just the choreography or the killer score—it’s how Sweet Charity still speaks to anyone who’s ever hoped too hard, trusted too quickly, or danced their way through disappointment. I always wonder if and how the stories from Golden Age musicals hold up. Honestly, a lot of them don’t—they coast on catchy scores and elaborate dance numbers without saying much. But Sweet Charity manages to balance the glitz with genuine emotion. Underneath all the razzle-dazzle, it’s a story about resilience, and that’s a tune worth playing on repeat.
And now… onto the review!
Cast: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The cast as a whole was stellar—but Ruby Day? Wow. Just, wow. Having recently seen her as Jenna in Waitress at SF Playhouse (a role with some surprising similarities), I knew to expect something strong. But her performance as Charity was just as great—if not better. Ruby has a magnetic presence on stage, the kind that draws your attention without ever demanding it. Her voice is pitch-perfect and emotionally rich, perfectly suited for a role as vocally and emotionally demanding as Charity.
What stood out this time was seeing her shine in several solo dance numbers—something we didn’t get as much of in Waitress, which leaned more on vocals. She acted the hell out of this part, bringing warmth, vulnerability, and irresistible charm. By the end, my friend and I were fully on Team Charity, audibly rooting for her. We weren’t just entertained—we were emotionally invested.
That same level of impact extended to the supporting cast. Erin Rose Solorio brought touching sincerity to Nickie, especially in her rendition of “Baby Dream Your Dream,” which added emotional depth to the character. And Jeffrey Brian Adams was both hilarious and (somewhat heartbreakingly) earnest as Oscar Lindquist—though by the end, let’s just say our sympathies had clearly shifted away from him. The ensemble brought nonstop energy and vibrancy to the stage, making every group number feel alive and electric.
Theater: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
San Jose Stage continues to be one of the Bay Area’s most rewarding theater spaces. There’s an effortless charm to the venue—it feels personal without being cramped. Whether you’re a longtime patron or just discovering it for the first time, the atmosphere immediately pulls you in.
Inside, the space delivers. Sightlines are fantastic across the board, but if you can grab a seat in the center section, that’s prime real estate—you’ll catch every sparkle, smirk, and subtle nuance.
One of the reasons I keep coming back is their thoughtful and varied season lineup, and Sweet Charity was the perfect high-energy capstone. It’s a smart move to end the season on a musical, especially one this bold and bittersweet. San Jose Stage doesn’t play it safe, and I love that about them.
The only caveat? Downtown parking. Definitely give yourself extra time, especially on busy nights. But weekend street parking is free, which softens the blow—and frankly, for theater this good, I’d park a mile away without complaint. I always leave already thinking about what I’ll see there next.
Production: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
So many elements of this production stood out and captivated me from the moment the curtain rose. First off, the set design by Christopher Fitzer was nothing short of brilliant—it felt like a classic Golden Age musical reimagined through the lens of a modern art gallery. Sleek, minimalist pieces transformed the space with each scene change, but the real magic came from the lighting and projections. Maurice Vercouture’s lighting design bathed the stage in rich reds, dreamy pinks, and moody blues, while Erik Scanlon’s projections were clever, immersive, and visually stunning. Highlights included the shimmering lake, the surreal elevator ride, and a mesmerizing moving pattern (I don’t know the technical term, but trust me—you’ll know it when you see it).
Choreographer Monica Moe, with support from Jacqueline Neely (Helene) and friend of the pod Leslie Waggoner, did a phenomenal job breathing new life into Fosse’s iconic style. Fosse choreography is timeless, but this team managed to give it a fresh, energetic edge that felt both true to the original and excitingly current.
Costume designer Bethany Deal also deserves high praise—crafting such a wide array of bold, expressive looks is no small feat, especially for a show with this much movement and personality. I especially loved the mannequin-like aesthetic given to the dance hall girls—stylized and eerie in the best way. And a special shoutout to whoever handled the wigs (especially Charity’s)—your work absolutely did not go unnoticed.
This production proves, yet again, that San Jose Stage should do musicals more often—they clearly have the creative team, the cast, and the vision to do them exceptionally well. I’ll absolutely be back, and if you’ve got a soft spot for knockout performances and inventive storytelling, I hope I’ll see you there too.
Sweet Charity runs through June 29
Tickets are available here
Broadway with AJ and Sarah 
Leave a comment