Photo: Bruce Glikas
George Street Playhouse announces the full cast as first rehearsals kick off today for the world premiere production Joy the Musical starring Erika Henningsen at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. The musical is based on the life of Joy Mangano and her book Inventing Joy: Dare to Build a Brave and Creative Life. Performances begin Wednesday, December 7 and continue through Friday, December 30. Tickets are now on sale.
Joy The Musical will feature: Erika Henningsen (Joy), Vicki Lewis (Toots), Stephen De Rosa (Rudy), and Trent Saunders (Tony). Additional casting includes: Sami Bray (Christie), Badia Farha (Ronnie/Ensemble), Pomme Koch (Dan/Ensemble), Gaelen Gilliand (Ensemble), Hazel Anne Raymundo (Thelma), Olivia Jones (Young Joy), John Hickok (Cowboy Eddie/Ensemble), Ashleigh Marie Arnold, Brian Shepard, Dana Costello, Kristen Faith Oei, Alanna Saunders, Ryan Duncan, Anthony Wayne, Justin Gregory Lopez, (Ensemble); Bronwyn Tarboton (Dance Captain/Swing), Michal Kolaczkowski (Swing).
Joy the Musical is directed by Casey Hushion with choreography by Joshua Bergasse and features music and lyrics by Tony Award® nominee AnnMarie Milazzo (A Walk on the Moon). Musical supervision is by Andy Einhorn and book by Tony Award winner Ken Davenport.
The Joy design and production team features: Anna Louizos (Scenic Designer), Tina McCartney (Costume Designer), Jen Schriever (Lighting Designer), Dan Moses Schreier (Sound Designer), Liz Printz (Hair & Wig Designer), John Clancy (Orchestrator), and Melissa Chacón (Production Stage Manager).
Joy is a heartwarming and powerful musical based on the life of Joy Mangano – the entrepreneur, inventor, best-selling author, and self-made millionaire whose journey epitomizes the real American Dream. This uplifting true story is about one woman’s triumphant climb, from divorce to single motherhood and bankruptcy, to becoming a wildly successful dynamo that all started with the invention of a mop – her Miracle Mop! Joy is a feel-good musical about finding yourself through determination, imagination, and reinvention with a twist, and is sure to inspire audiences long after they leave the theater.
The George Street Playhouse World Premiere production is presented in association with Sandi Moran and Ken Davenport with TBD Theatricals, Jonathan and Rae Corr, Christine Williamson, Michael T. Cohen and Robin Reinach, Sheri and Les Biller, Megan Ann Rasmussen, and Adam Riemer. Miranda Gohh is associate producer.
Tickets begin at $25 and are now on sale. For subscriptions and group discounts of information visit www.GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org or call 732-246-7717.