'Joy: A New True Musical' Off-Broadway review — Betsy Wolfe wipes the floor with every expectation
Read our review of Joy: A New True Musical off Broadway, which stars Tony Award nominee Betsy Wolfe as New York-based inventor and entrepreneur Joy Mangano.
If you think a mop — yes, that everyday household item — makes unlikely material for a musical, Joy: A New True Musical will change your mind. This New York-premiere production tells the rags-to-riches story of Joy Mangano, the Long Island single mother who built a billion-dollar empire with her invention of the Miracle Mop. Her bootstrapping journey is set to a hummable score and brought to life with a moving script.
The “sleek as a rocket” mop, first fashioned out of a lacrosse stick, is more than a cleaning tool. For Joy, it is the possibility of a new refrigerator, a ticket to Disney for her daughter, and a better future. Tony Award nominee Betsy Wolfe is superb as the headstrong Joy, commanding the stage whether she’s mopping up a spill or soaring through a power ballad. In “A Better Way,” a pivotal number where Joy fights for the patent to her invention, Wolfe brings down the house, earning a mid-show ovation at my performance.
Some of the musical’s strongest songs belong to Joy’s daughter Christie (13-year-old Honor Blue Savage), who is tired of her overworked, underpaid mom missing her soccer games and being emotionally absent. Her number “Is This As Good As It Gets?” is a strong motivator for Joy.
Another standout number is “We Sell Stories,” a doo-wop-inspired song featuring the slick-suited executives of QVC touting the quality, value, and convenience of shopping from home. Saleswomen, clad in ’90s blazers with shoulder pads, showcase household wares while the big ensemble impresses with dance moves by choreographer Joshua Bergasse. AnnMarie Milazzo’s score spans a wide range of styles and even includes a cowboy commercial jingle, which brings even more great moves to the stage.
Anna Louizos’s set is constantly transforming from a modest Long Island home to the glitzy QVC studio and more. The staging even includes a renovation scene with new wallpaper and artwork to showcase Joy’s home improvement after she reaches success.
But this feel-good story doesn’t shy away from the challenges Joy faces in trying to support multiple generations with a cash flow stretched thin. Director Lorin Latarro expertly balances the hardship with humor and infuses this production with so much joy.
Joy: A New True Musical summary
Set on Long Island in the 1990s, Joy: A New True Musical follows the story of Joy Mangano, a down-on-her-luck single mother whose invention of the self-wringing Miracle Mop makes her a billionaire. Joy is determined to provide for her daughter, her parents, and even her ex-husband, all under one roof. When she loses her job at the airport, she doubles down on her childhood dream of becoming an inventor. A spilled bottle of wine and the messy cleanup that follows inspire her to create her life-changing prototype.
The inspiring true story of this self-made entrepreneur hit the big screen in 2015, with Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence starring as Joy. The film and musical are unaffiliated.
What to expect at Joy: A New True Musical
Joy lives up to its name. A display near the concession stand reading “Mop Girl Summer” offers a fun photo op for audiences, and the show even sells brightly colored Miracle Mops emblazoned with its title, a standout merch item. The show runs 2 hours, including a 15-minute intermission.
What audiences are saying about Joy: A New True Musical
As of publication, Joy: A New True Musical holds an 85% audience approval rating on Show-Score, with viewers applauding Betsy Wolfe’s performance and the inspiring script.
- “I had the thrill of seeing Joy last night and I loved it. The book, music and cast are everything I want and love in a show. Especially in these times, a story of the underdog succeeding renews my faith in possibility.” - Show-Score user Ilene 7033
- “Betsy Wolfe and Homor [sic] Blue Savage are a great mother-daughter pairing and Annmarie Milazzo has given them some powerful songs. The entire production, cast, orchestra, staging are very impressive for off Broadway. An enjoyable experience, even if it sometimes seemed like a QVC commercial.” - Show-Score user Bill V 6154
- “Betsy Wolfe is the reason to see this production. She's great, managing to create a whole character out of a pretty one-dimensional book, not to mention her singing. And the production almost succeeds through the first half, buoyed by her warmth and energy. Unfortunately, the second half of the show takes a nosedive in terms of the plot, pacing, and quality of the music (which was only innocuously enjoyable to begin with), making it seem much longer than its 45 minutes…” - Show-Score user Jimbob 4057
- “We were blown away with Betsy as Joy and the entire ensemble's singing and dancing! The music was toe tapping and uplifting. The QVC segment was hilarious. Such a great time at the theater!” - Show-Score user Cindy 5187
- “Betsy Wolfe is the reason to see this production. She's great, managing to create a whole character out of a pretty one-dimensional book, not to mention her singing. And the production almost succeeds through the first half, buoyed by her warmth and energy. Unfortunately, the second half of the show takes a nosedive in terms of the plot, pacing, and quality of the music (which was only innocuously enjoyable to begin with), making it seem much longer than its 45 minutes…” - Show-Score user Jimbob 4057
Read more audience reviews of Joy: A New True Musical on Show-Score.
Who should see Joy: A New True Musical
- Those who liked the Oscar-nominated film Joy, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, and Bradley Cooper, will appreciate this compelling stage version of Mangano's story.
- Fans of Betsy Wolfe, whose Broadway credits include & Juliet, Waitress, and Falsettos, will love Joy, which features songs perfectly suited to her powerful voice.
- Theatregoers who enjoyed Waitress and & Juliet will find Joy engaging, as both musicals center on headstrong, independent women.
- Fans of the musical Kimberly Akimbo will also appreciate Joy, as both share comedic, quirky scripts.
Learn more about Joy: A New True Musical
This feel-good biographical musical brings joy to the stage with a varied score and a star-power performance from Betsy Wolfe.
Photo credit: Joy: A New True Musical off Broadway. (Photos by Joan Marcus)
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