Janet Hood News

Take a feuding mother and daughter, a rebellious teenager granddaughter and throw in an outspoken lesbian feminist and you have the recipe for an unexpected treat at the Southwark Playhouse. Unexpected Joy is a new musical, written by Janet Hood and  Bill Russell, making its UK debut and follows a turbulent week in the life of one family. Hippy baby-boomer Joy is planning a memorial concert for her late singing and life partner Jump, who she never married. After inviting daughter Rachel and granddaughter Tamara, Joy must pluck up the courage to tell them that she is finally getting married the day after the concert. To a woman.

The European premiere of Bill Russell and Janet Hood's new musical Unexpected Joy is underway. The powerful all-female cast is made up of:Janet Fullerlove (Fortune's Fool, The Beggar's Opera) as Joy; Jodie Jacobs (Myth, Rock of Ages) as Rachel; Melanie Marshall (Guys and Dolls, Jane Eyre) as Lou; and Kelly Sweeney (Ronald William White Acting Through Song Prize Winner 2018) as Tamara.

The European premiere of Bill Russell and Janet Hood's new musical Unexpected Joy transfers from its Off-Broadway run, at the York Theatre Company, to London's Southwark Playhouse from 5 September 2018. Watch a video from rehearsals below!

The European premiere of Bill Russell and Janet Hood's new musical Unexpected Joy transfers from its Off-Broadway run, at the York Theatre Company, to London's Southwark Playhouse from 5 September 2018. Watch a video interview below!

The European premiere of Bill Russell and Janet Hood's new musical Unexpected Joy transfers from its Off-Broadway run, at the York Theatre Company, to London's Southwark Playhouse from 5 September 2018.

Aria Entertainment's prestigious festival of new musical theatre, From Page To Stage (FPTS), which returns with gusto for a 6th successful year from September 2018, is proud to announce the seven exciting new musicals selected for the 2018 festival at London's Southwark Playhouse.

Casting for the European premiere of Bill Russell and Janet Hood's new musical Unexpected Joy has been announced. The powerful all-female cast is made up of: Janet Fullerlove (Fortune's Fool, The Beggar's Opera) as Joy; Jodie Jacobs (Myth, Rock of Ages) as Rachel; Melanie Marshall (Guys and Dolls, Jane Eyre) as Lou; and Kelly Sweeney (Ronald William White Acting Through Song Prize Winner 2018) as Tamara.

"Glee" star Jane Lynch visited the cast of The York Theatre Company production of the new musical Unexpected Joy, with book and lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Janet Hood. Unexpected Joy concludes its extended limited engagement this Sunday afternoon, May 27, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's where performances began April 24, 2018.

Pop singer/songwriter Brielle Von Hugel stopped by to visit the cast of The York Theatre Company production of the new musical Unexpected Joy

Jump For Joy! The Off-Broadway cast recording of the New York premiere production of the new musical Unexpected Joy, with book and lyrics by Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Janet Hood (Elegies for Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens with Bill Russell), will be recorded and released by JAY Records. Produced by John Yap, the recording will feature the original cast of The York Theatre Company production who will gather at Sear Sound Studios (353 West 48th Street) on Monday, May 14, 2018 to lay down the tracks for the recording.

Though the characters in bookwriter/lyricist Bill Russell and composer Janet Hood's sweet, funny and very entertaining new musical UNEXPECTED JOY are all women, there's a guy in the mix who still has a lot to say.

Due to popular, The York Theatre Company joyfully announces a one-week extension of the New York premiere of the new musical Unexpected Joy, with book and lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Janet Hood at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue), where performances began April 24, 2018.

Opening Night is Tonight! The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Executive Director), dedicated to the development of new musicals and the preservation of musical gems from the past, in association with Jim Kierstead, Aria Entertainment, Gabby Hanna & Marcy Feller, Riki Kane Larimer, Linda & Craig Wielkotz, Drew Desky & Dane Levens/Michael Mills, William Fernandez/Behzad Dabu, presents the New York premiere of the new musical Unexpected Joy, with book and lyrics by Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Janet Hood (Elegies for Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens with Bill Russell).

The York Theatre Company presents the New York premiere of the new musical Unexpected Joy, with book and lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Janet Hood. Check out the new photos below!

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Executive Director), dedicated to the development of new musicals and the preservation of musical gems from the past, in association with Jim Kierstead, Aria Entertainment, Gabby Hanna & Marcy Feller, Riki Kane Larimer, Linda & Craig Wielkotz, Drew Desky & Dane Levens/Michael Mills, William Fernandez/Behzad Dabu, presents the New York premiere of the new musical Unexpected Joy, with book and lyrics by Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Janet Hood (Elegies for Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens with Bill Russell).

The York Theatre Company is gearing up to host the New York premiere of the new musical Unexpected Joy. Meet the cast and creative in new photos below!

Playwright Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize-winning DISGRACED will be preserved for wide audience accessibility in a series of live performance recordings by Susan Albert Loewenberg's L.A. Theatre Works April 19 through April 22, 2018. We had the chance to pick the mind of a very frequent collaborator of Ayad Akhtar, actor/producer/activist Behzad Dabu who will be reprising 'Abe' at the L.A. Theatre Works production, in the role he originated.

The York Theatre Company is gearing up to host the New York premiere of the new musical Unexpected Joy. Meet the cast and creative in new photos below!

Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: Three Tall Women opens tonight and Travesties begins previews!

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Executive Director), dedicated to the development of new musicals and the preservation of musical gems from the past, in association with Jim Kierstead, Aria Entertainment, Gabby Hanna & Marcy Feller, Riki Kane Larimer, Linda & Craig Wielkotz, Drew Desky & Dane Levens/Michael Mills, William Fernandez/Behzad Dabu, has announced the cast and creative team for the New York premiere of the new musical Unexpected Joy, with book and lyrics by Bill Russell (Side Show) and music by Janet Hood (Elegies for Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens with Bill Russell).