You know Joy. Joy “Miracle Mop” Mangano. You may have read her book, seen the film about her Miracle, even own one of the amazing mops. Now see the musical and burst with joy of your own.
George Street Playhouse has been a crucible of new musicals for some time – burnishing and refining a work and this musical bursts out of its wrappings. Not your typical story of “Long Island Girl Takes On the World”, Joy (Erika Henningsen) has a houseful where she’s the primary breadwinner. Living with her are her mother Joy (Vicki Lewis) who often channels Eeyore, wise and wise-cracking daughter Christie (Sami Bray) and her layabout actor wannabe ex-husband Tony (Trent Saunders). When her down on his luck charmer of a dad Rudy (Stephen DeRosa) knocks on her door, she can’t turn him away – and now Tony has a roomie. Sound like fiction, but you can’t make this up. And then, Joy loses her job.
First and foremost, what a set of pipes on Erika Henningsen! Her voice is pure and clear and with her enthusiasm, it feels like YOU could do anything, even as you believe she can. Every single one of those characters on stage inspires her – we first meet young Joy (Olivia Jones) as she is creating one of her first inventions – a day-glo dog collar so pets are more safe. The same genius runs through her veins as a grown woman, but it needs the loss of family income for her to re-ignite that spark. And you know the results of that.
Ken Davenport’s book and AnnMarie Milazzo’s score had my foot tapping almost immediately. Under the direction of the gifted Casey Hushion, there are times where I found myself catching a breath – not realizing I’d missed one. And as an antidote for all of the male driven this-is-how-you-sell how-tos, believe in your product and believe in yourself, then stack ‘em high and watch ‘em fly.
Songs like “The Shape of Things”, prologue and reprise, are a manual for life. “Mommy’s Making Something Outta Nothing” puts MacGyver in the shade and the whole show from start to finish inspires.
Tina McCartney’s costume designs are period-perfect, in concert with Liz Printz’ hair and wigs and Megan Burke’s makeup. Anna Louizos sets are part of what made me breathless, their movement is theatre magic. Jen Schriever’s lighting and Dan Moses Schrier’s sound designs bring us in to every moment of this delicious Holiday treat.
Joy Mangano herself was in the audience, no pressure on Erika, right? Joy waved when Artistic Director David Saint gave her a nod at the beginning of the show, and graciously took a bow with the cast at the end. The theatre was near capacity and that is another gift from GSP for the season – it's wonderful that we are gathering again to hear the stories we need to hear. This one truly brings Joy.
Grab your tickets for Joy! Show runs only through December 30. Visit GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org today!