June 2025
A Joyful Move to Off-Broadway
Happy Pride Month! At Flipping The Script Productions, we’re taking a moment to honor and remember the LGBTQIA+ artists, audiences, and pioneers who have actively and historically shaped the theatre world into what we know and love. Queer creatives have built the foundations of so much of our culture, and we’re grateful to be a part of that legacy by furthering new and inspiring voices in theatre.
This month, we’ve also been reflecting on a powerful article by Tony Award-winning producer Ken Davenport titled Why We Are Bringing JOY Off-Broadway, announcing that JOY: A New True Musical will open at the Laura Pels Theatre at the end of this month and run for just 8 weeks.
Davenport’s decision to take JOY to Off-Broadway rather than Broadway is not only strategic, it’s a move that reinforces something we’ve been seeing for a while now.
As Ken explains, the financial and promotional demands of Broadway have become nearly impossible for shows without massive brand recognition or backing from what he calls “the giants,” such as Disney. By choosing a 425-seat venue just above Midtown, he’s embracing both practicality and passion: he loves the Laura Pels Theatre and has long dreamed of producing a show there.
This is a move that speaks volumes to us.
Coming from someone I see as a prime example of successful production strategies, Davenport’s decision affirms something I believe wholeheartedly: thoughtfully staged and developed work can shine, regardless of its venue. Furthermore, smaller settings can offer both creative freedom and more sustainability.
In a time when even major names are opting out of the Broadway race, it’s clear that Off-Broadway isn’t a fallback; it’s a vital, vibrant sector where new ideas can breathe and grow.
As we continue the development of Someone Close to You by Melissa Borgerding, we feel more affirmed than ever in our mission. Like JOY, this piece is best served in an intimate space, with the freedom to evolve and connect directly with its audience.
If you’re curious about JOY: A New True Musical, you can find more details and ticket information at joythemusical.com.
As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts. About Pride Month, about the shifting landscape of New York theatre, or about the last Off-Broadway show that moved you.
Thank you for being on this journey with us and for continuing to support new voices and fresh visions in the theater.
Warm regards,
Stephen Rourke
Founder, Flipping The Script Productions
Share our Mission
Our goal is to expand our reach as much as possible. If you know someone who would be interested in joining our dialogue regarding theatre, Broadway, and diverse voices, send them this email!
Connect with Us
Follow us for updates and behind-the-scenes content
Flipping The Script Productions
6719 Old Pimlico Road, Baltimore, Maryland, 21209
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
www.flippingthescriptshows.com
CONTACT MR. ROURKE’S PRESS REPRESENTATIVE
Jay Michaels Global Communications, LLC
jay.michaels.theatricals@gmail.com
jaymichaelsarts.com
