(FAIR LAWN, NJ) -- Old Library Theatre will present the first licensed, NYC area premiere of Unexpected Joy with book & lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Janet Hood. Unexpected Joy is the story of three generations of female singers, long-held family tensions, and a week together where change is in the air. Performances take place December 3-5 at the George Frey Center for the Performing Arts in The Fair Lawn Community Center in Fair Lawn.
In modern-day Cape Cod, Joy, a baby boomer and proud hippie, is holding a memorial concert for the other half of her popular musical duo, Jump & Joy. When her tightly wound, conservative daughter and her sweet, rebellious granddaughter arrive from Oklahoma, sparks fly as one family seeks to find the common ground in their different values, dreams, and goals. A heartfelt and hilarious story that celebrates diversity and acceptance, Unexpected Joy weaves folk-rock, pop, and blues in bringing together a family that hasn’t experienced true joy in decades.
The cast includes Eileen Mager as Joy, Leslie Silverman as Lou, Cassandra Lindeblad as Rachel, and Fia Fusco as Tamara. The production is being helmed by Director, Michael Kidney with Musical Direction by Dr. Elizabeth Gerbi. Linda Wielkotz serves as Producer after co-producing the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, Off Broadway and London productions.
In-Person performances run Friday, December 3 at 8:00pm, Saturday, December 4 at 8:00pm and Sunday, December 5 at 2:00pm at the George Frey Center for the Performing Arts in The Fair Lawn Community Center, 10-10 20th Street, Fair Lawn, New Jersey. Covid-19 policies in effect: proof of vaccination or negative test within 48 hours, temperature check and masks required. Tickets are available for purchase online.
The mission of Old Library Theatre is to provide quality entertainment at an affordable cost in Bergen County, showcasing talented artists, creators, and performers who represent the full spectrum of the human experience at all stages of development. They are committed to inclusion across race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, size, ability, and age. They strive to create a theatrical community that reflects the communities we serve. They commit to creating an environment on- and off-stage where everyone feels safe and empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to each experience and interaction. They acknowledge that there will always be more work to be done and They invite all members of our community to join them in doing that work.
