York Theatre Company announces the cast of Unexpected Joy

Unexpected Joy begins performances at St. Peter's Church on April 24, 2018.

York Theatre Company has announced casting for the upcoming New York premiere of new musical Unexpected Joy, which begins previews at the company's home at St. Peter's Church on April 24, 2018, before an official opening on May 3 and a limited engagement through to May 20, 2018.

The cast includes Courtney Balan (as Rachel), Allyson Kaye Daniel (as Lou), Luba Mason (as Joy), and Celeste Rose (as Tamara).

Unexpected Joy features a book & lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Janet Hood, who previously collaborated on the musical Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens.

Synopsis: "Unexpected Joy is the story of three generations of female singers, long-held family tensions and a week together where change is in the air. In modern day Cape Cod, Joy, a baby boomer and proud hippie, is holding a memorial concert for the other half of her popular musical duo, Jump & Joy. When her tightly wound conservative daughter and her sweet rebellious granddaughter arrive from Oklahoma, the sparks fly as one family seeks to find the common ground in their different values, dreams and goals. A heartfelt and hilarious story that celebrates diversity and acceptance, Unexpected Joy weaves folk-rock, pop, and blues in bringing together a family that hasn't experienced true joy together for decades."

The off-Broadway production is directed by Amy Anders Corcoran and features music direction by Beth Falcone. The creative team also features scenic design by James Morgan, costume design by Matthew Pachtman, lighting design by Ken Wills, sound design by Julian Evans, props by Deb Gaouette, and vocal arrangements by AnnMarie Milazzo.

Unexpected Joy is produced by York Theatre Company in association with Jim Kierstead, Aria Entertainment, Gabby Hanna & Marcy Feller, Riki Kane Larimer, Linda & Craig Wielkotz, Drew Desky & Dane Levens/Michael Mills, and William Fernandez/Behzad Dabu.

The world premiere of Unexpected Joy was staged at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre in Massachusetts in 2016.