If you know me, you know my complicated, obsessive love affair with the SAW franchise. I’ve seen every single movie multiple times. I rewatch them, analyze them, and unabashedly adore them—even though they remain the only horror movies on the planet that genuinely make me want to cover my eyes because of how stomach-churningly grotesque some of the traps and deaths are (a fact I reflected on when revisiting the original film).

Naturally, when I heard about SAW The Musical: The Unauthorized Parody of Saw at the Walnut Street Theatre, I had to go. However, what I wasn’t prepared for was to walk out of the theater with a gigantic smile on my face, covered in stage blood, and completely blown away by this incredible show.

It is, without exaggeration, one of the best musicals I have ever seen.

Camp, Queerness, and Bathroom Rom-Com Energy

Going into the show, I had somehow managed to avoid spoilers and had zero idea that the production leans hard into queer romance and camp. As someone currently pursuing a PhD in Sociology at Temple University focusing on gender and sexuality—and currently immersed in a Feminist and Queer Studies course—this was an absolute dream come true.

I’ve long been a huge admirer of Clive Barker, the undisputed master of weaving queer themes, desire, and bodily transgression into the horror genre. Seeing SAW reimagined through that very same lens of campy, unabashed queer parody was nothing short of brilliant. The dynamic between Lawrence Gordon and Adam Stanheight is dialed up into a hilarious, oddly touching, homoerotic screwball comedy that breathes unexpected new life into a dirty bathroom set.

Sharp Writing, Killer Tunes, and a Splash Zone to Remember

The craft behind this show is razor-sharp:

• The Dialogue: Gut-wrenchingly funny, fast-paced, and densely packed with deep-cut franchise references that reward longtime fans while never alienating casual viewers. The entire audience was in stitches from start to finish.
• The Music: The songs are shockingly catchy, vocally impressive, and deliciously absurd. You’ll have these earworms trapped in your head for days.
• The Atmosphere: Pure, joyful chaos.

And yes, I was in the splash zone. When Dr. Gordon finally took the hacksaw to his ankle, I got cheerfully sprayed with theatrical blood—and spent the entire sequence laughing hysterically. It captures the exact brand of participatory, midnight-movie energy that horror fans live for.

Better Than Evil Dead? Absolutely.

Back in 2013, I caught Evil Dead: The Musical and had a blast. It set the bar for campy, splatter-filled stage adaptations for over a decade in my book.

Well, consider that bar obliterated. SAW The Musical is easily ten times better. Where a lot of parody shows rely strictly on cheap gags, this production brings genuine heart, soul, top-tier talent, buckets of gore, and far more laughs than I ever could have anticipated. It lovingly roasts James Wan and Leigh Whannell’s gritty 2004 indie classic while also serving as a wonderfully celebratory tribute.

Don’t Sleep on This Run

Philly theatergoers, consider this your official wake-up call. You can grab tickets for the Philadelphia engagement on Fever, running right now through October 25, 2026.

If you live anywhere near the city, make it your mission to go before it wraps up. And if you aren’t local—or want an excuse to see it twice—check out their national tour schedule at sawthemusical.com and catch it when it invades a city near you.

Grab a poncho, leave your dignity at the door, and see it. Let the games begin!

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