Get a Taste of York Theatre's Unexpected Joy

The new musical is written by Bill Russell and Janet Hood.

Allyson Kaye Daniel, Courtney Balan, Celeste Rose, and Luba Mason make up the cast of Unexpected Joy.
Allyson Kaye Daniel, Courtney Balan, Celeste Rose, and Luba Mason make up the cast of Unexpected Joy.
(© David Gordon)

The company of York Theatre Company's Unexpected Joy met the press before its upcoming New York premiere. Featuring a book and lyrics by Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Janet Hood (Elegies for Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens), performances are set to begin April 24 for its run through May 20 at Saint Peter's. Opening night is set for May 3.

Courtney Balan (Falsettos), Allyson Kaye Daniel (Sistas: The Musical), Luba Mason (Pretty Filthy), and Celeste Rose (Sister Act) star in the production.

Celeste Rose, Courtney Balan, Allyson Kaye Daniel, and Luba Mason rehearse Unexpected Joy.
Celeste Rose, Courtney Balan, Allyson Kaye Daniel, and Luba Mason rehearse Unexpected Joy.
(© David Gordon)

Under the direction of Amy Anders Corcoran (Escape to Margaritaville), the creative team includes Beth Falcone (music direction), James Morgan (set), Matthew Pachtman (costumes), Ken Wills (lights), Julian Evans (sound), Deb Gaouette (props), and AnnMarie Milazzo (vocal arrangements), with Julianne Menassian as production stage manager and Shanna Allison assistant stage manager, and casting by Stephen DeAngelis.

Luba Mason and Allyson Kaye Daniel perform a number from Unexpected Joy.
Luba Mason and Allyson Kaye Daniel perform a number from Unexpected Joy.
(© David Gordon)

Unexpected Joy is described as "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. Unexpected Joy is a heartfelt and hilarious story that weaves folk-rock, pop, and blues in uniting a family that hasn't experienced true joy together for decades."

The Unexpected Joy family: Beth Falcone, Janet Hood, Allyson Kaye Daniel, Bill Russell, Luba Mason, Courtney Balan, Celeste Rose, and Amy Anders Corcoran.
The Unexpected Joy family: Beth Falcone, Janet Hood, Allyson Kaye Daniel, Bill Russell, Luba Mason, Courtney Balan, Celeste Rose, and Amy Anders Corcoran.
(© David Gordon)