FOUNDER

A failed opera singer turned journalist and critic, Charles has been writing about the arts for some four decades. A New York City native, he edited a series of classical music magazines in his early career before becoming an arts critic at The Palm Beach Post in West Palm Beach, Fla. For the last 16 years, he’s been on staff at Dow Jones, writing for The Wall Street Journal – he has covered the Broadway beat – and its affiliated MarketWatch site. He founded The 100 Word Review as an Instagram account in 2022 and added the website in 2026.

First Broadway show: “Company” (the original production – my parents were too cheap to hire a babysitter!)

Favorite show: A tie between “Fun Home” and “Sweeney Todd”

CRITIC

A native of Portland, Maine, Justin is always critical and a sometimes critic. His writing has been published in a variety of outlets, including MarketWatch, Brides magazine, and an upcoming Simon & Schuster book. When he’s not catching a show, he’s probably photographing an event, binging “RuPaul’s Drag Race” with his husband, or walking his dog, Penny. 

First Broadway show: “Aida”

Favorite show: “The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart”

CRITIC

Adam is a longtime journalist, former editor at The Wall Street Journal and on-and-off arts writer. A New York City native and lifetime theatergoer, he was introduced to Off Off Broadway by the weekly Wednesday night outings of his junior-high school theater class. His first summer job was as an usher for Shakespeare in the Park.

First Broadway show (not escorted by parents): “Sweeney Todd” (original production)

Favorite show: “Merrily We Roll Along”

CRITIC

Ryan is a native of California’s Central Coast who moved to New York City in 2017. By day, he is an investment management director of research, but by night he is a voracious theatergoer. He prefers musicals to plays thanks to growing up as a musician during the Menken-Ashman Disney renaissance. He supports the future of the musical theater and performing arts communities by volunteering on the boards of TADA! Youth Theater and Reaching for the Arts.

First Broadway show: “Wicked” (2009 tour in San Francisco)

Favorite show: “Hadestown”

CRITIC

Jonathan started his obsession with theater when, during college, he would dress up in a jacket and a tie and wait outside big shows until a family with a spare ticket offered him one — without his even asking! (Seriously, it worked.) A former editor in chief of Wall Street Journal magazine, he used to insist that his writers attend theater to improve their storytelling (few ever did). Now living in Charleston, he will fly up to New York in a heartbeat for a chance at a cathartic theater experience. 

First Broadway Show: "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"

Favorite Show: "Sight Unseen"

EDITORIAL GURU

Leslie is a born and bred New Yorker who developed a passion for theater later in life. She has served as a research assistant for numerous editorial projects, including articles in prominent national publications, and is a published photographer. In her other life, she’s equally passionate about all things food and has worked as a cheesemonger for some of New York City’s top gourmet stores. 

First Broadway show: “The Iceman Cometh” (1985 revival)

Favorite show: “The Minutes”