Joy

 Joy
Laura Pels Theater
June 30, 2025

Photo courtesy of Joy

The Off-Broadway production of Joy, now playing at the Laura Pels Theatre, is an uplifting new musical.  It is based on the life of Joy Mangano and her book Inventing Joy: Dare to Build a Brave & Creative Life.  It was also a 2015 movie starring Jennifer Lawrence.  The music and lyrics by Annmarie Milazzo are spirited and energetic.  The book by Ken Davenport is sharp and witty.  Joshua Bergasse’s choreography is clever and precise.  Director Lorin Latarro finds the comic timing and pace to keep the show moving, and, most importantly, she finds the heart. 

Joy (played by Betsy Wolfe) is a single mother doing the best she can, which never seems to be enough.  Her mother, Toots (played by Jill Abramovitz), never gets off the couch, and has not left the house in over two years.  Her father, Rudy (played by Adam Grupper), is divorced from her mother, living in her basement, and dating Lorraine, an old friend of hers from high school (played by Jaygee Macapugay).  Her ex-husband, Tony (played by Brandon Espinoza), is a could-have-been band singer, also living in her basement.  Her young daughter, Christie (played by Honor Blue Savage), is angry that her mother seems to always put her last, even though she is always first in her thoughts.  When Joy loses her job, she gets an idea for improving a common household tool… the mop.  Unlike all her other ideas, she takes bold moves on this one.  She draws up a design and makes a prototype from objects she has around the house.  No one in her family believes in her, but she is motivated to make life better for her daughter.  She has a dream, and defies all odds to achieve it. 

Betsy Wolfe
Photo courtesy of Joy

Betsy Wolfe is endearing as Joy.  She has the audience’s full attention from the moment she enters, and engages every emotion throughout the story.  The character is far from perfect, but the audience roots for her every step of the way.  Her singing voice rings with drive and emotion.  She creates a powerful relationship with Honor Blue Savage, who plays her daughter Christie.  Ms. Savage portrays the teenage angst perfectly.  Her disappointment in her mother is fierce, and Ms. Wolfe meets that with unrelenting determination.  As the plot progresses, Christie steps up to support her mother.  Ms. Savage plays this moment with genuine love and admiration. 

Jill Abramovitz portrays Joy’s mother, Toots, with a cynical edge that provides the laughs.  In the second act, when the chips are down, she delivers a heartfelt song.  The audience understands where that cynicism comes from.  Her character is redeemed, as are all Joy’s family members when they support her in her darkest hour.  

The cast and ensemble are phenomenal in this well-crafted, jubilant new musical.  The small stage of the Laura Pels Theater feels expansive and alive.  Joy is playing for a limited time, running through August 17.  Don’t miss it! 

Domenick Danza

The Who’s Tommy

 The Who’s Tommy
Nederlander Theater
July 3, 2024 

Photo courtesy of The Who's Tommy

The Broadway revival of The Who’s Tommy is spectacular.  Director Des McAnuff, who directed the original production in 1993, brings it back with an outstanding cast.  Pete Townshend’s music is as fresh and exciting as it was on the day it was first released.  Choreography by Lorin Latarro is bold and exciting.

Tommy (played by Ali Louis Bourzgui, Cecilia Ann Popp at age 4, and Quinten Kusheba at age 10) witnesses his father, Captain Walker (played by understudy Mike Cannon), murder his mother’s boyfriend (played by Nathan Lucrezio).  Out of panic, Tommy’s mother (played by Alison Luff) tells him he did not see anything, did not hear anything, and will not say anything.  This sends Tommy into trauma.  He can no longer see, hear, or speak, and spends most of his time staring into a mirror.  Tommy is abused by his Uncle Ernie (played by John Ambrosino), and ridiculed by his Cousin Kevin (played by Bobby Conte).  While at the Youth Center, Tommy is left alone at a pinball machine and starts to play.  He beats all scores, and creates a sensation.  His parents continue to look for a cure for his situation.  They finally decide to send him to a sanitarium.  Out of frustration, his mother smashes the mirror that Tommy stares into, breaking his traumatic spell.  It is hailed a miracle cure, and Tommy becomes a cult phenomenon.  When his celebrity becomes too much for him, Tommy returns home to reconnect with his family and himself. 

Ali Louis Bourzgui as Tommy
Photo courtesy of The Who's Tommy

During Act I, when Cecilia Ann Popp and Quinten Kusheba play the younger versions of Tommy, Ali Louis Bourzgui appears as the voice in his head, the person trapped inside the young boy.  Mr. Bourzgui’s voice and physicality have a mysterious quality that makes these scenes highly effective.  The three actors combine to present a complete understanding of the psychological components that make up of the full character.  Mr. Bourzgui propels the action forward in Act II, then is reunited with his younger self for an emotionally satisfying ending.

"Pinball Wizard"
Photo courtesy of The Who's Tommy

Alissa Luff and Mike Cannon are excellent as Mrs. Walker and Captain Walker.  They have a solid chemistry that bonds them in the first act and causes conflict in the second.  John Ambrosino plays creepy Uncle Ernie with conviction.  His presence is always felt, and his motives are consistently questionable.  Bobby Conte’s Cousin Kevin is bold and energetic.  The character shifts from Tommy’s tormenter to his most ardent supporter, yet his cunning ability to take advantage of Tommy is evident throughout.

The Who’s Tommy is playing at the Nederlander Theatre through July 21.  See it before it closes! 

Domenick Danza

The Heart of Rock and Roll

 The Heart of Rock and Roll
James Earl Jones Theatre
May 9, 2024 

Photo courtesy of The Heart of Rock and Roll

The Heart of Rock and Roll is an original stage musical inspired by the songs of Huey Lewis and the News.  It is the most fun night on Broadway this season.  It will take you back to a simpler time, the 1980s.  Director Gordon Greenberg delivers a tight, fast moving production.  The cast is excellent.  The choreography, by Lorin Latarro, is high energy and perfect for the time period.

Bobby Stivic (played by Corey Cott) is the lead singer for a rock band.  That’s what he does on the weekends.  His day job is in a carboard factory.  In an attempt to get promoted to an executive sales position, he makes a deal with a local store that loses the company a large sum of money.  When his boss, Chuck Stone (played by John Dossett), finds out, he fires him on the spot.  Bobby comes up with a plan to get back in the good graces of the company, and recruits his friend and HR Director, Roz (played by Tamika Lawrence) to help him.  He plans on pitching a deal to Otto Fjord (played by Orville Mendoza), a Swedish furniture designer opening a chain of stores in the US.  Bobby convinces Chuck Stone’s daughter, Cassandrea (played by McKenzie Kurtz), to  help him land the deal.  They are successful.  Bobby gets the executive sales position, which has the perk of working side by side with Cassandra.  When Bobby’s band gets a national tour and recording contract, he is torn.  To make things more complicated, Cassandra is being pursued by her old college boyfriend, Tucker (played by Billy Harrigan Tighe).  These two people, who spent most of their lives pleasing others, now have to make a decision for what is best for them. 

Corey Cott & McKenzie Kurtz
Photo courtesy of The Heart of Rock and Roll

Corey Cott and McKenzie Kurtz have amazing chemistry.  Their solos in both Act II are heartfelt and vocally powerful.  There are also strong performances by John Dossett, Josh Breckenridge, F. Michael Haynie, Zoe Jensen, Tamika Lawernce, Raymond J. Lee, John-Michae Lyles, Orville Mendoza, and Billy Harrigan Tighe.

Photo courtesy of The Heart of Rock and Roll

The creative team has done a brilliant job of keeping the style and humor consistent throughout the show.  If you want to laugh, hear Huey Lewis tunes, and be transported back to the 80s (for two and a half hours) go see this show.  

The Heart of Rock and Roll is playing at the James Earl Jones Theatre.  Don’t miss it! 

Domenick Danza