“Joy: A New True Musical” is a family-friendly production, full of challenges and triumph, that will have you smiling and inspired. Playing at the Laura Pels Theatre (W. 46th Street), it tells the story of real-life entrepreneur, inventor, and QVC businesswoman extraordinaire Joy Mangano.
Beautifully and powerfully equipped with a captivating book by Ken Davenport and engaging music and lyrics by AnnMarie Milazzo, the play takes the audience into a world where one woman — Joy — has to keep her entire family afloat. When the audience meets her, she is the sole income provider for her daughter, mother, father, and ex-husband who also lives in her home. An inventor since childhood who has not yet experienced success, Joy and her story prove that you have to always believe in yourself, whether other people do or not; and that a woman’s spirit to survive and take care of her family is always paramount and can lead to amazing outcomes.
Betsy Wolfe is absolutely inspiring as Joy. She is strong-willed, resilient, and has a sense of self that is incredible to witness. Despite her character being surrounded by family members who doubt her, she proves that she is up to the challenge and more. At first, watching her, I felt such sympathy as her daughter, parents, and ex-husband tried to dissuade her from believing in her invention: the miracle mop. I thoroughly enjoyed how Davenport showed the different phases of what happens when a person has an idea, creates a product, and then has to find a manufacturer; and what can happen behind the scenes when it comes to patenting a product. I could appreciate Joy’s character as well because, as mothers, we have all been there, where things are thrust upon us and we have to go deep inside ourselves to face up to a challenge and overcome it. This truly is a feel-good musical.
Wolfe is joined on stage by a phenomenal cast of actors. Jill Abramovitz is amusing, delightful, and moving as Toots, Joy’s mother, who never believed in her daughter’s ability to do something creative. Honor Blue Savage is quite engaging as Christie, Joy’s daughter, who is at first frustrated that her mother never has time for her, but then realizes that she wants to back her mother’s dream of being an inventor. Adam Grupper is charming as Rudy, Joy’s father, who was thrown out by his girlfriend and now has a new one around Joy’s age. Brandon Espinoza delivers a memorable performance as Tony, Joy’s ex-husband, who is an out-of-work singer struggling to survive. Jaygee Macapugay is a breath of fresh air as Lorraine, Rudy’s new girlfriend.
Other cast members who give stunning performances include Paul Whitty as Cowboy Eddie; Gabriela Carrillo as Ronni, a QVC network employee and someone who was willing to give Joy a chance; and Charl Brown as Dan, a QVC executive, who gives Joy her chance at success. Brown steals the spotlight at times as he performs in musical numbers. He can also be incredibly funny.
The ensemble members also keep this musical going beautifully and make it so much fun to experience. They include Dana Costello, Ryan Duncan, Gaelen Gilliland, Sydni Moon, Manuel Santos, Brian Shepard, Allysa Shorte, Alan Wiggins, Briana Brooks, Nora Mae Dixon, Michał Kołaczkowski, Lael Van Keuren, and Jerome Vivona.
“Joy” is quite joyous and has so much to offer! It is a marvelous time at the theater and is based on a woman who proved that women can be champions and trailblazers, and make their mark on the world as Joy Mangano has done. You will feel so uplifted when you see “Joy: A New True Musical.” Everything about this production works cohesively. Music supervision and arrangements are by Andy Einhorn; the amusing and entertaining choreography by Joshua Bergasse; and dynamic and stunning direction by Lorin Latarro.
The technical team for this production has done a magnificent job and includes Anna Louizos, scenic design; Tina McCartney, costume design; Yael Lubetzky, lighting design; Daniel Lundberg, sound design; David Bengali, projection and video design; Liz Printz, hair and wig design; Christopher Jahnke, orchestrations; and Jillian Zack, music direction.
You need to make plans to see “Joy: A New True Musical” before it closes on August 17. For ticket information, visit joythemusical.com.