Unexpected Joy

See it if Looking for a light feel good show with some good music and great vocals.

Don't see it if You’re looking for something meaty

See it if You want to see a new musical with a mostly accomplished score and really resonant performances.

Don't see it if You have a lack of patience for the tried and true dynamics of a dysfunctional family. The story gets a bit bogged down in its latter half.

See it if You enjoy the unbreakable bond between women along with some singing.

Don't see it if You don't enjoy musicals or an all female cast.

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.

Also I loved this show. I'd see it again. My friend was reviewing and took me along but I could have seen it through S-S on a free member night. I might get a ticket through TDF because the music is really good. Luba Mason is terrific as the hippie-matriarch who provoked a backlash in her own daughter (married to a right-wing homophobe Evangelical televangelist). The singing is first-rate (though Mason is not the strongest singer in the cast: her singing is uneven, sometimes quite good, other times flat).
It's really funny and the secret--which the audience learns early on--about Mason (she's getting married to a woman)--is the source of much comedy.
The story may be a bit trite, a sort of Family Ties premise (but with a Jesus twist), but the emotions are real and nuanced. The daughter, whom we should hate, we actually do not.
It's the best off-Bway musical I've seen in a long time.
Highly recommend.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a new pop/folk musical about 3 generations of women with conflicting political & religious views finding 'common ground.'

Don't see it if you're expecting something mindblowing from the book and characters. It's got a bit of a jukebox musical vibe. A little corny.

Also It's pretty much exactly what I expected it to be. I guess it's nice to see a story like this at the York for its audience.

A lot of the song setup is like "ooh I've always loved this song, let's rehearse it," and then they do. A concert with some plot. If you liked 'Beautiful,' you'll probably like this.

I wanted a little more depth/believability from Rachel and her bigotry? She just felt like the obvious villain. The plot in general feels slightly contrived and simplistic; the characters verge on stereotypes.

It was sweet and perfectly enjoyable, but it didn't particularly do anything to surprise me or move me.

Some really good performances though -- Luba and Celeste in particular.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a fan of beautiful, happy musicals with a real story. The lyrics are fantastic and the characters are wonderfully drawn.

Don't see it if Can't think of a reason!

Also The music reminded me of early Loggins and Messina--a total compliment! The three generations are very believable and the actors were perfectly cast. The show gets at the heart of family dynamics, and EVERYONE can relate. It provides belly laughs, provokes tears, and gives us exactly what we need now-- conflict resolution!... Read more Read less

See it if If you Like musical with a story. Good voices!

Don't see it if Don’t see if you don’t Like Musicals!

See it if you want to hear some good music sung by strong women.

Don't see it if you don't want to be hit over the head with messages of acceptance

Also Listen, there's good in this show. The music is catchy and fun. The women singing the songs and playing the parts worked well with what they had. But the writing itself is so heavy-handed and preachy. We receive messages of acceptance for everyone except the religious, and that felt judgmental itself. It also contained so many cliched jokes and plotlines. The focus should stay on the relationship between the mother, daughter, and granddaughter, but it tries to do too much and make too many statements. There is a lot of positive here, but the story itself needs work.... Read more Read less

See it if The best off-Broadeay Musical I've seen since Hamilton. Brilliant script/lyrics; great singing; lyrics define roles.

Don't see it if See it. Don't see if you're misogynistic.

See it if As a Christian my initial reaction as the show progressed was uncomfortable as there is “Christian bashing” and generalities voiced as facts

Don't see it if You are conservative Christian and don’t want to see a show which bashes your beliefs.

Also However the ending was brought together honestly which is uncommon in the reality of today’s world. “common ground.” We each are entitled to our beliefs -one does not need to cave in to the other. Let’s just reach some common ground that we can both agree on.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see four fantastic female performers. Great band, nice staging, solid production.

Don't see it if you're not looking to have a conversation about religious freedom, free love and homosexuality afterwards. Also, inconsistent quality.

See it if You have an interest in Mother Daughter Drama presented through music reminiscent of the sixties yet relevant in today's world

Don't see it if Mother Daughter Drama holds no interest for you.

See it if You want to hear great voices. Beautiful family story. Lots of family dynamics in 3 generation relationship. 4 terrific actresses/singers

Don't see it if You are homophobic. Not for conservative folks

See it if You want to hear four fabulous voices singing great songs.

Don't see it if You are conservative and not tolerant of alternative lifestlyes.

See it if Intimate theatre with wonderful atmosphere for musicals. Powerful voices. Original songs.

Don't see it if No chemistry between the 2 women..

See it if You just want something entertaining and aren't overly critical about the overall structure and character development in a show

Don't see it if You like musicals where the songs actually advance the story rather than just be interchangeable fillers

Also I saw this structurally as a jukebox musical even though all the songs are original. The story focuses on a pop singer who gets together with some family to do a tribute to her deceased partner, so that many if not most of the songs are in a context of performance of her act (where they use hand held mics so you know it's a performance) or rehearsals for the show they are going to perform, so the actual songs are for the most part irrelevant to the story and don't advance it in any way. One other distraction for me was what I felt was the total miscasting in one of the roles. The character is the wife of a far right Christian televangelist from Oklahoma who sings on their broadcasts. The whole persona of the actress playing the role (who is certainly very talented) was more of a New York hipster, and I just never believed it. Also I didn't really feel any chemistry between the pop singer and her now girlfriend who she is about or marry. Much was entertaining, just not great.... Read more Read less

See it if You are looking for a play where you can gladly enjoy a good time with excellent music a well written story very well played.

Don't see it if I don’t see any reason to skip it. Allow yourself to be surprised with this delightful play. You won’t regret it at all.

Also It Is not a "musical" but the characters of the story are musicians and sing with a live band. Excellent arrangement.... Read more Read less

See it if You like intimate musicals, value shows about women, enjoy hearing a wide range of music styles

Don't see it if You are looking for a big musical experience or are bothered by relevant messages in your theatre

See it if You want to see 4 great women with great voices singing great songs.

Don't see it if You don't like intimate 4 character musicals

See it if You want to see a fresh, well acted, truly enjoyable musical. The 4 actresses were outstanding and the story fun and relevant.

Don't see it if No reason not to see it.

Also Went with 6 others of all different ages and we all really loved the show. The music was beautiful, the story funny and interesting. Highly recommend it as a very enjoyable 90 minutes.... Read more Read less

See it if Go if you appreciate beautiful, diverse music, familial stories, great singing and acting, Cudos for Ms. Mason's unbelievable vocal range!

Don't see it if If you are a stuck in the mud cumudgeon and cannot appreciate a beautiful score and the talented actors who bring it to life skip it

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 You’d like a cute original musical about family and acceptance performed by a fantastic cast

Don't see it if You want a particularly powerful book

See it if - you like fun, original music - you like a story about a free spirit and her family - you like a great band (they rocked)

Don't see it if - you don't like new musicals - you have no heart

See it if You like good singing.

Don't see it if Are interested in good storytelling.