York Theatre Company presents the New York premiere of Unexpected Joy

Bill Russell & Janet Hood's new musical Unexpected Joy begins performances at St. Peter's Church on April 24, 2018.

York Theatre Company presents the New York premiere of new musical Unexpected Joy, featuring book & lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Janet Hood, 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.

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. Casting and additional creative team members will be announced at a later date.

Unexpected Joy is produced by York Theatre Company in association with Jim Kierstead.

Bill Russell and Janet Hood previously collaborated on the musical Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens.