Joy (musical)

Last updated
Joy
MusicAnnMarie Milazzo
LyricsAnnMarie Milazzo
Book Ken Davenport
BasisInventing Joy
PremiereDecember 16, 2022: Elizabeth Ross Johnson Theatre
Productions2022 New Jersey

Joy is a 2022 stage musical with music and lyrics by AnnMarie Milazzo, and a book by Ken Davenport. It is based on the life story of entrepreneur and inventor Joy Mangano, using her autobiography Inventing Joy and the 2015 film Joy as a basis for the story. [1] [2]

Contents

The show debuted in New Jersey at the George Street Playhouse in 2022, with previews beginning on December 9 and a premiere date on December 16. [3] [4]

Synopsis

The 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! Based on the life of Joy Mangano—the entrepreneur, inventor, best-selling author, and self-made millionaire whose journey epitomizes the real American Dream. [5]

Productions

George Street Playhouse (2022)

The world premiere production was directed by Casey Hushion, with choreography by Joshua Bergasse, music direction by Rick Edinger, scene design by Anna Louizos, costume design by Tina McCartney, light design by Jen Schriever, and sound design by Dan Moses Schreier. [6] Mangano attended the opening night performance with her family. In an interview with the Delaware County Daily Times, she stated "In the musical, Ken Davenport and AnnMarie Milazzo show how much family dynamics drove me to conquer obstacles, fight to get my product seen, and work hard to get it into people’s homes." [7]

Off-Broadway (2025)

The musical premiered Off-Broadway at the Laura Pels Theatre, with previews beginning June 21, 2025 and an opening date of July 20. The show was directed by Lorin Latarro with choreography by Joshua Bergasse. Betsy Wolfe led the production as Joy Mangano. The musical closed on August 17, 2025. [8] [9]

Musical numbers (select)

Cast and characters

Character George Street Playhouse (2022)Off-Broadway (2025)
Joy Mangano Erika Henningsen Betsy Wolfe
Rudy Mangano, Joy's father Stephen DeRosa Adam Grupper
Christie Miranne, Joy's daughterSami BrayHonor Blue Savage
Toots Mangano, Joy's mother Vicki Lewis Jill Abramovitz
Tony Miranne, Joy's ex-husbandTrent SaundersBrandon Espinoza
DanPomme KochCharl Brown
Ronni, Joy's father's girlfriendBadia FarhaGabriela Carrillo
Cowboy EddieJohn HickokPaul Whitty
LorrainexJaygee Macapugay

References