Unexpected Joy

See it if You like women's stories, great music & singing. The music is more polished than most off-Broadway shows.

Don't see it if Parts of the plot are not believable. Needs a bit of work. A slow song needs to be cut or a few of those shortened. Drags the pace down.

Also Thi was very enjoyable for sure.
I could totally see Olivia Newton-John playing this one with her daughter.
••SPOILER••

Unfortunately, the relationship between Rachel & Lou is really hard to swallow. They are supposed to have met 6 months before since Rachel's husband passed just 1 year before. The demands of Lou are very hard to buy into or sympathize with. Lou's actions make the character feel like a 20yo to the 60yo of Rachel. An issue not even touched by play.
That Rachel is an immature adult, is actually very believable. We all know people like that.
And Lou's character, entitled and demanding is also recognizable.
It's the meshing of the 2 that is unbelievable.
They are really not very loving towards one another throughout the whole play. Other characters HEAR how in love they are, but the audience never gets to experience it.
It is a really enjoyable play with exceptional music and talent. It just needs a bit of tightening.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy comedic family dramas where differences of opinion cause tension. Good music and performances by cast.

Don't see it if At times the show verges on "cheesy" (The characters a band where named 'Jump & Joy') however overall it is a sweet show

See it if You want a lighthearted but not fluffy show. Surprisingly full of thought provoking and real subject matter yet never gets bogged down.

Don't see it if You don’t want to see a musical that tackles some current controversial topics.

See it if If you like a simple story that has good acting, singing lighting and has humor.

Don't see it if If you do not like musicals. If you don't like hippie moms whose daughter is unaccepting of her lifestyle.

See it if you want a joyous celebration (w/plenty of domestic drama along the way) of 3 generations of women led by a rebellious folk star matriarch.

Don't see it if you are turned off by stereotypes (militant lesbian, evangelical preacher's wife & recalcitrant daughter, etc) used to contrive the drama.

Also The music is wonderful. It's a cast album I would consider buying. The music works effectively to move the story along, and the songs, I think, stand alone as well-crafted pop tunes.... Read more Read less

See it if Spectacular singing by all four. Spectacular lighting, Great tale re: the generational gap.s A 97% & a 99% gets the 98%

Don't see it if Minimal sets but it fits the play perfectly.Only negative.... it should play on and on and on.

See it if you enjoy musicals with pop-rock scores about families with LGBT & religious issues, sweet cast with hearts in the right place

Don't see it if you don't like musicals or stories with favorable gay content, don't like pop-rock scores, not a fan of new musicals

See it if You want to see a country/pop/rock musical about families w/different POVSs. You enjoy realistic portrayals of women. You want great singing

Don't see it if You don't like country-inspired musicals. You prefer shows w/larger production values.

See it if you enjoy an intelligent show about 3 generations of women with different political and religious views. Somewhat clichéd plot, nice lyrics.

Don't see it if you are an Envangelical Christian or do not believe in gay marriage. A bit preachy and predictable plot.

See it if High energy musical with beautiful ballads and great group songs. Realistic fast paced and a tale of acceptance in a family.

Don't see it if You'd prefer a classical show instead

See it if Like musicals, family conflicts, small casts, a surface look at differing viewpoints. It's a good, but not fantastic show. Still, fun.

Don't see it if Are homophobic/very religious, want depth, don't like women-centric, mother-daughter themes, dislike Carpenter's style folk/pop/country.

Also There's a nice break-the-fourth-wall conceit of presenting a concert that works well. Most songs are serviceable and non-memorable, but nicely sung by an energetic cast of women. The on-stage band is quite good. A couple of songs are knockouts. ("I Don't Wanna Get Married" is great.)

The musicals at the York are always produced at a high standard and this one, while not as good as Desperate Measures, is still a nice evening out.

Saw this on the last preview at the York Theatre, May, 2018.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a small, intimate musical tackling HUGE issues, in shorthand, with varying degrees of success. Diff musical styles used.

Don't see it if You dont like simplistic takes on serious issues esp: Christian Right vs Aging Flower Children. Artificial situations setting up tension.

Also This seemed different from the usual York Theater fare. I really didn't love this but it is quite successful at doing what it sets out to. I found the music not particularly interesting. 4 piece band with sort of obvious orchestration. This was 6 years in the development stages and I think some depth was lost in the interest of speed and "polish". The four women have very different styles, different energy levels and different tonality which almost always worked to support the characters' profiles. There are worse ways to spend 95 minutes and I really appreciate everyone with whom I have had contact at York Theater.... Read more Read less

See it if you’d enjoy a comedy-drama about mothers and daughters butting heads, and finding their own values may not reflect those of their parents.

Don't see it if you have a closed mind or object to robust swearing in a church.

See it if you want some terrific music sung by 4 talented women. Only drawback is corny plot that has a message.

Don't see it if lesbian related plots are not for you.

Also Just extended thru Memorial Day weekend.

See it if you enjoy a sweet, little musical that has a surprising edge. Thoroughly enjoyable throughout.

Don't see it if you are looking for a show with a complex plot or lavish dance numbers.

See it if You want to see a play that will have you laughing and you get to hear some great singing and you would sing along if you knew the words.

Don't see it if You don't want to have a good time and see three generations of female singers hash out some family issues.

Also I had a good time. I was laughing and totally enjoying this play. The band is awesome and the ladies did a great job in their acting and singing.... Read more Read less

See it if My heart filled up each time the grandma, daughter, and granddaughter harmonized. Politically polarized family uniting through singing.

Don't see it if All women casts, lesbians, or sight of smoking cannabis scare you. Dislike multiple singers harmonizing in many songs.

Also Ticket from Todaytix for $27.50.

See it if You enjoy riding the wave of female-only shows, or if you want to hear several good, new songs in the context of a reasonable good show.

Don't see it if You like to see men on stage as well as women, or if you don't like female-centric musicals.

See it if You want to spend 90 minutes with 4 women representing the various stages of life and relationships , with strong singers

Don't see it if You like your musicals to be light and include dancing and have men on stage

See it if You like dramas about parents and children and Christians and non-believers fighting about low-stakes things.

Don't see it if You need characters to be more than just their stereotypes.

See it if You want to see a beautifully crafted musical about , family, beliefs, & acceptance of 3 generations of family singers told heartwarmily.

Don't see it if You don't like gay themed musicals about family conflicts and acceptance

See it if Great musical with a Bonnie Raitt sound about 3 generations of women’s relationships, with a twist

Don't see it if This is an all women cast but men do play important roles in the story. Give this little gem a chance!

See it if You like folk/rock/gospel artists like Carole King,, Mavis Staples. Want to see 4 great female leads. You want to see a show with your mom.

Don't see it if You want a really well written book. You don't like the musical genres above. Want to see a big show.

Also I went to see this on Mother's Day with my mom. On the whole I enjoyed it.

The singing is great almost across the board. Luba Mason though, while she has an amazing voice, makes a weird choice with her character's singing voice. She's supposed to be a folk singer, but she sounds like she's impersonating a Vegas lounge singer. But perhaps she's drawing inspiration from an artist that I just don't recognize. In any case, it's a weird and distracting choice.

Celeste Rose and Allyson Kaye Daniel in particularly shine vocally.

The band is wonderful and really bring that authentic folk rock sound.

The script though, treats the audience with kid gloves. It painstakingly reiterates information we either already know, or could have deduced by context. In so doing the characters say things like "remember the time" and "your father wrote this song" so many times it's like a family of amnesiacs.

But in any case I say go see this with your mom!... Read more Read less

See it if You want a wonderful, heart warming show featuring great actresses and singers, a day at the York Theatre, and wonderful music.

Don't see it if You want elaborate sets, don't want to go to the E Side. No reason NOT to go.

See it if You like musicals about inter generational family dynamics in 90 minutes with strong women characters

Don't see it if You want a searching deep exploration of the choices we make