New musical hails groundbreaking athlete Joan Joyce

The life of Joan Joyce (1940-2022), one of the most successful and versatile women in American sports history, is the subject of a new musical playing this month at Waterbury’s Seven Angels Theatre.

“Joan Joyce! A New Musical” recalls the Waterbury native’s unlikely rise during a time when women had relatively few opportunities in professional sports. Joyce gained prominence as a pitcher in women’s softball when she struck out Ted Williams during an exhibition game – she would later repeat that feat with Hank Aaron. She also set records on LPGA Tour and starred on the Connecticut Clippers volleyball team and the USA women’s national basketball team. Later in her life, she was the softball coach at Florida Atlantic.

The new production is based on the book “Connecticut Softball Legend Joan Joyce” by Tony Renzoni and features book and lyrics by Keely Knudsen and Lauren Salatto-Rosenay and music by Brad Ross, with additional songs by Keely Knudsen, Lauren Salatto-Rosenay, Matthew Harrison and David Bell.

“Joan Joyce! A New Musical” production opens on Oct. 5 and runs through Oct. 22, with Thursday shows at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday shows at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday shows at 2:00 p.m. More information is available on the Seven Angels Theatre website.