Joy: A New True Musical, which will begin previews Off-Broadway at the Laura Pels Theatre June 21, will present a free, live virtual chat May 13 at 7 PM ET.
Entitled The Making of Joy, the discussion will feature Joy Mangano, the inventor and entrepreneur who is the subject of the new musical; Tony nominee Betsy Wolfe, who will play Mangano in the production; composer and lyricist AnnMarie Milazzo; and director Lorin Latarro.
Katharine Quinn will host the exclusive look at the making of the new musical. The evening will also feature a Q&A with attendees. Registration is free, but space is limited. To register,
Ken Davenport and Milazzo's new musical about Wonder Mop inventor and businesswoman Mangano will officially open July 20.
Joining Wolfe in the cast will be Gabriela Carrillo as Ronni, Paul Whitty as Cowboy Eddie, Charl Brown (Tammy Faye) as Dan, Adam Grupper (Pictures From Home) as Rudy, Mauricio Mart铆nez (On Your Feet!) as Tony, Jill Abramovitz (Beetlejuice) as Joy's mother Toots, and Honor Blue Savage (The Goodbye Girl) as Joy's daughter, Christie.
Latarro is directing, and Joshua Bergasse is choreographing.
Joy, which features a book by Tony winner Davenport and
music and lyrics by Tony nominee Milazzo, is based on the true story of
Mangano, the inventor of the Miracle Mop, and follows the single
mother's financial struggles as she builds a business empire. The
musical is adapted from Mangano's memoir, Inventing Joy: Dare to Build a Brave and Creative Life,
and played a world-premiere engagement at New Jersey's George Street
Playhouse in 2022.
Video: See Betsy Wolfe Belt 'The Shape of Things' From Joy
The upcoming production will also have scenic design by Anna Louizos,
costume design by Tina McCartney, lighting design by Yael Lubetzky,
sound design by Daniel Lundberg (replacing the earlier announced Kai
Harada and Haley Parcher), projection and video design by David Bengali,
hair and wig design by Darion Matthews, music supervision by Andy
Einhorn, music direction by Jillian Zack, production stage management by
Gary Mickelson (replacing the earlier announced Christine D鈥橝more), and
general management by ShowTown Theatricals.
Performances will continue through August 17.
Although it is being performed at the Steinberg Center, Joy is not a Roundabout Theatre Company production.
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