Dancing from Brooms to Ballads: Lorin Latarro Reveals Emotional Core in 'Joy' Production
New Musical 'Joy' Takes Centre Stage at Laura Pels Theater
Lorin Latarro, the acclaimed director behind hits like Tommy and Assassins, is at the helm of a new project - the musical Joy. Currently playing at the Laura Pels Theater, this heartwarming production tells the true story of Joy Mangano, the single mother who revolutionized the cleaning industry with her Miracle Mop and built a multimillion-dollar empire.
Latarro was drawn to direct Joy due to the honesty, complexity, and resilience portrayed in the story. She was particularly moved by Mangano's determination to shift a generational behaviour for her daughter, a theme that resonates deeply with the director.
The musical, based on Mangano's memoir Inventing Joy: Dare to Build a Brave and Creative Life, offers an uplifting narrative of perseverance and innovation. It's a tale of believing in oneself, even when the odds say otherwise, and it's this message that Latarro hopes will empower audiences to take charge of their lives and start new projects or push forward toward their goals.
When Latarro begins dreaming up a scene, she reads the script and lyrics without listening to the songs initially to avoid being seduced by the music before experiencing the story. For the musical Joy, she collaborated with choreographer Josh Bergasse, allowing her to focus completely on directing and experience the collaborative process from another point of view.
The cast of Joy includes Betsy Wolfe in the title role, along with Jill Abramovitz, Honor Blue Savage, Adam Grupper, Brandon Espinoza, Paul Whitty, Charl Brown, Jaygee Macapugay, and Gabriela Carrillo. Betsy Wolfe was chosen for her smartness, comic timing, leadership skills, hard work, positive attitude, and exceptional vocal abilities. The onstage family is portrayed as imperfect and messy, reflecting the reality of most families.
During rehearsals, the team experimented with various substances to simulate spills onstage, eventually settling on an oobleck-type substance. Latarro works hard to make the most of her time away from her family when directing a show, ensuring that every moment spent on stage is a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and courage - traits embodied by Joy Mangano herself.
Joy is a true musical based on the life of a real-life inventor and entrepreneur, making it a compelling and inspiring addition to the Off-Broadway scene. If you're looking for a show that will leave you feeling empowered and uplifted, don't miss out on Joy at the Laura Pels Theater.
[1] Broadway World, "Lorin Latarro to Direct New Musical 'Joy' Based on Joy Mangano's Life", 2022. [2] The New York Times, "Review: 'Joy' Takes a Bold Step Forward for the New Musical", 2025. [3] Playbill, "Lorin Latarro Discusses Directing 'Joy' and the Power of Empowering Women", 2025.
- With the cast under her guidance, Lorin Latarro, the director who has also worked on off-broadway hits like Tommy and Assassins, aims to inspire audiences by showcasing the life-changing resilience portrayed in the musical Joy, currently at the Laura Pels Theater.
- As a fashion-and-beauty enthusiast, one might find Betsy Wolfe, playing the title role in Joy, an intriguing choice, but her smartness, comic timing, leadership skills, hard work, positive attitude, and exceptional vocal abilities make her the ideal candidate for this role.
- When not lost in the music, Lorin Latarro reads scripts diligently to ensure a complete understanding of the story before jumping into the directorial role, as seen in her collaboration with choreographer Josh Bergasse on the musical Joy.
- Outside the world of entertainment, Joy Mangano, upon whom the musical Joy is based, is known for her achievements in the lifestyle and food-and-drink industries, but her true legacy lies in her ability to inspire relationships, whether with her family, pets, or her loyal customers.
