Unexpected Joy by Bill Russell, Lyrics Bill Russell, Music Janet Hood Creative

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Director
Michael Kidney
Michael is thrilled to be back at OLT with Unexpected Joy. Michael is originally from Brooklyn, NY where he was born and raised. He holds his B.A. with Honors in Dance Performance and Choreography from Queens College. Michael directed and choreographed Sweet Charity at OLT and served on their Board of Directors as their Publicity Chair. Michael is elated to be working with such a strong cast and crew of women to bring this unique story to life! Michael’s most recent credits include: Chess; Seussical; Cabaret; Hair; Anything Goes; The Pajama Game; Ghostlight (Equity Staged Reading & NYMF); The Skin of Our Teeth. Upcoming: A Chorus Line (Director/Choreographer) at Cranford Dramatic Club in February 2022. www.michaelkidney.com
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Musical Director
Dr. Elizabeth Gerbi
Dr. Elizabeth Gerbi is an independent scholar, musical director and vocal coach, coaching or conducting nearly 200 productions over her career. She has previously held music and theatre faculty positions at SUNY Dutchess, Suny New Paltz and he American University,, has taught musical theatre workshops at the International Thespian Festival, KCACTF, NYSTEA, NETC and ATHE, and written CCM features for the NATS Journal of Singing and Musical Theatre Educators' Alliance. For more information, please visit www.elizabethgerbi.com.
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Producer
Linda Wielkotz
Linda is thrilled to finally have this terrific musical make it's east coast and N.J. Premiere. Linda was one of the original producers of the Cape Cod, Off Broadway and London productions.

Original Creative Team

Unexpected Joy received its world premiere at the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre (WHAT) (Jeffry George, Artistic Director) on Cape Cod, Massachussetts on July 21, 2016, produced in association with Jim Kierstead, Linda & Craig Wielkotz, and Gabby Hanna & Marcy Feller. The production was directed by Lynn Taylor-Corbett, with musical direction by Gillian Berkowitz, sets and lighting by Christopher Ostrom, costumes by Tyler Kinney and casting by Stepehn DeAngelis. The cast -Joy - Sally Mayes, Tamara-Charity Farrell, Rachel-Michelle Duffy, Lou-Lacretta.

Unexpected Joy was produced Off Broadway by the York Theatre Company in Association with Jim Kierstead, Aria Entertainment, Gabby Hanna & Marcy Feller, Riki Lane Larmier, Linda & Craig Wielkotz, Drew Desky & Dane Levens/Michael Mills, and William Fernandez/Behzad Dabu, opening April 24, 2018. The performance was directed by Amy Anders Corcoran with sets by James Morgan, costumes by Matthew Pachtman, lighting by Ken Wills, sound design by Julian Evans,   Cast  -Joy- Luba Mason, Tamara-Celeste Rose, Rachel-Courtney Balan, Lou-Allyson Kaye Daniel.