Unexpected Joy NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (140)
See it if you like the idea of seeing 3 generations of women, all of whom have great voices; if you love The York Theatre, Where Musicals come to Life
Don't see it if you are homophobic; if you only like big Broadway splashy musicals (in which case you're missing a lot of great entertainment)
See it if family dramas appeal to you, and you want to hear a lot of punch, on a small stage. Great singing, sweet musical, enjoyed even by jaded teen
Don't see it if you find inter-generational conflicts tiring, if you want jazz fingers and a big production
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 If you like pop-folk music, family dramas full of comedy, and uplifting stories with a "message" that doesn't hit you over the head.
Don't see it if You don't like "message" musicals, in this case marriage equality and tolerance. Read more
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. Read more
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 if you have mother/daughter relationships in your life. Unexpected Joy is heartwarming, funny, and totally enjoyable. Music was great!
Don't see it if you don't like conflict.
See it if For Unexpected Joyous production portraying 3 generations of talented women & the "Unexpected" 4th woman a knockout bluesy gutsy singer
Don't see it if Don't like musicals-are offended by unexpected relationships (gay & multi-racial) But--see it--a gem of a show. Read more
Critic Reviews (19)
"Features strong-voiced singers and a thoroughly professional presentation that works without a lot of lavish scenery or technical wizardry...The performers are all excellent, but this is hardly groundbreaking or extraordinarily fresh...That said, it's light-hearted fun, with likeable characters that takes a well-meaning look at the issues that divide modern American families."
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"The talented cast (Allyson Kaye Daniel is a stand out both as an actress and a vocalist) delivers mostly generic songs with energy and sincerity. Appealing arrangements appreciably raise the level of material. Direction (Amy Anders Corcoran) is yeoman-like."
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“Filled with some pretty good pop/folk/blues-tinged songs sung by a talented cast of singers, but there are a few problems...How unexpected this story line is, and how full to the brim of conflicts to address. It’s a multi-layered wedding cake, tottering on a wobbly table, threatening to fall crashing to the ground...The resulting songs, as directed by Corcoran, are like a watered-down punch, trying too hard to satisfy two different parties...They taste fine, but rarely delicious."
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"'Unexpected Joy’s' greatest attribute is that of its throwback score, which nods to Laura Nero, Joni Mitchell, and some bluesy references a la Tom Waits and Bob Dylan. Bringing those songs to life is a musically exceptional cast led by Mason...Director Corcoran and music director Falcone navigate the material with a watchful eye, though Russell’s script feels a bit belabored and occasionally like an unwanted houseguest when you’d rather just listen to these ladies sing."
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"If 'Unexpected Joy' were able to embody its narrative core and catchy songs within an imaginative framework unburdened by a superficial script, it might have a chance. But as it is now, it has a split personality…A few strong laughs help carry the essentially sitcom plot and dialogue, stereotypical characters, and feel-good ending…Many of the songs are actually very entertaining, if derivative…The vocally gifted, charismatic ensemble gives excellent performances in their paper-thin roles."
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"Has a message that we all need to find the 'Common Ground.' In a country so torn apart by its convictions, this message could not come at a better time...Russell does better on the lyrics, than the book, which seems to want to make stereotypes out of each of these characters...So overstuffed with issues, that it becomes cliche. Hood's melodic score...Is catchy, but stuck in one time zone...Corcoran keeps things light, but it almost is too light for the weight of the material."
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“Everything clicks, with a believable plot, a cast of four who can really sing as well as act and a four-musician band that gives the show further oomph...Charmingly staged, and as the plot unfolds, it is laced with catchy musical numbers defining the characters...When Tamara, looking and acting so innocent, bursts into her...song with its sexy moves and lyrics, she is a show-stopper...There is considerable cleverness in the lyrics and the music in varied styles is consistently appealing.”
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“A groovy, folk rock score, an intriguing original story mining contemporary themes, and a quartet of strong female vocal performances; and some unfortunate faults: a script and direction lacking dynamism, stereotypical characters and sitcom-deep dialogue, and a pat ending. The whole show feels dated and unrealistic, with an 'agree to disagree' closing message about LGBT equality that I found troubling.”
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