Photo Flash: Opening Night Party Arrivals at PlayMakers Repertory Company's MR. JOY

PlayMakers Repertory Company opened the final production of its 2016-17 season last night with "Mr. Joy," a work by award-winning playwright Daniel Beaty. As the final production of the Second Stage season at PRC2, Mr. Joy was directed by PlayMakers' Producing Artistic Director Vivienne Benesch and stars Tangela Large, who returns to PlayMakers after a successful turn in "Detroit '67" in Fall 2016.

Among the attendees at the opening night party was Mia Pinero, the rising star currently headlining as Eliza Doolittle in PlayMakers' final mainstage show, "My Fair Lady." "Incredible!" said Pinero, "You have come see it. Heart wrenching, joyful, amazing!"

"Mr. Joy" tells the story of a Harlem community after Mr. Joy, a Chinese immigrant of a neighborhood shoe repair shop, is the victim of an attack. The play is a tapestry of monologues by nine of Mr. Joy's customers and neighbors, as they reflect on the impact he has had on each of their lives, and on their community. The nine characters, all played by Large, include 11-year old Clarissa, the story's narrative guide, her "gangsta granny" Bessie, a 16-year old aspiring poet, and others dealing with the very topical issues of race, gentrification, and social integration.

"Mr. Joy" runs at the Elizabeth Price Kenan Theatre in the Center for Dramatic Art at 120 Country Club Road, from April 26-30, 2017. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and 2:00 p.m. Sunday. For information and to purchase tickets, call 919.962.7529 or visit playmakersrep.org. Individual ticket prices for "Mr. Joy" start at $10 for UNC students and $15 for non-students.

Photos courtesy of PlayMakers

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