Song of Joy

a solo play
January
12-29
a coproduction with The Tank

written & performed by
Carol Mazhuvancheril

directed by
Nick J. Browne

showtimes
January 12-29

01.12 (THU) at 7pm
01.13 (FRI) at 7pm
01.14 (SAT) at 2pm
01.14 (SAT) at 7pm
01.19 (THU) at 7pm
01.20 (FRI) at 7pm

01.21 (SAT) at 7pm
01.26 (THU) at 7pm
01.27 (FRI) at 7pm
01.28 (SAT) at 2pm
01.28 (SAT) at 7pm
01.29 (SUN) at 3pm

About
the show

Song of Joy is an autobiographical play written and performed by Carol Mazhuvancheril, that explores what it’s like growing up immigrating to multiple countries from a young age, and how that shapes an individual and their family. Throughout the play, Carol investigates what it means to define “home” in places that are foreign, and far from his original home of Kerala, South India.

In the pursuit of finding a home, Carol embodies colorful characters from his life to illustrate his various experiences navigating a life that is constantly in motion. They range from learning Carnatic music on the terrace of an old boarding school in India, auditioning to be a ballerina in Texas (after watching the film Black Swan), and seeking acceptance from those he loves while coming into his newfound “American” identity. The play chronicles his life up to the present where Carol discovers something unexpected, a new definition of home that has been there all along.

Heartbreaking, funny, & painfully honest- it is a love letter to all immigrant parents who make immeasurable sacrifices in order to better the lives of their children. And how the children of those immigrants often have to balance what they owe their parents, with what they owe themselves.

Song of Joy is presented by The Tank as part of their 2023 core productions of the spring season.


the playwright

Carol Mazhuvancheril (he/him) is a NYC based actor and theater-maker, working on stage and film. On stage Carol was last seen Off-Broadway in JC Lee’s To My Girls, directed by Stephen Brackett, and in the multiple Tony winning Broadway production of Matthew Lopez’s The Inheritance, directed by Stephen Daldry. Some of his other theater credits include Kate Hamil’s Pride and Prejudice, directed by Estefenía Fadul for Virginia Theater Festival; and Mac Wellman’s The Lesser Magoo, directed by Meghan Finn for Brooklyn College. Some of Carol's on-screen credits include The Time Traveler’s Wife (HBO), FBI: Most Wanted (CBS), Russian Doll (Netflix), and the lead in Paul Lewis Anderson’s upcoming short film Last Laugh. Carol holds an MFA in acting from Brooklyn college, was a part of LAByrinth Theater Company’s 2019 Intensive Ensemble, and a member of both AEA and SAG.

learn more

the director

Nick Browne (he/they) is a freelance director, producer, and educator based out of New York City. Previous credits include Simon Stephens’ Punk Rock (Chinatown Soup), a site-specific production of Ike Holter’s HIT THE WALL (the National Historic Monument; The Stonewall Inn), Chair by Joey Merlo (The 2022 Weasel Festival, The Tank), Jordan Tannahill’s Concord Floral (Department of Theater, Brooklyn College), Platforms (LAByrinth Theater Co. Barn Series), HIT THE WALL (NYU, A Streak of Violet). They have directed internationally in the PEI Island Fringe Festival, studied with the 2022 La MaMa International Directors Symposium in Umbria Italy, were a part of LAByrinth Theater Company’s 2019 Intensive Ensemble, and the 2015 SITI Summer Intensive in Saratoga Springs. Nick holds a BFA from Point Park University and an MFA from Brooklyn College.

learn more

The
Creative Team

Carol Mazhuvancheril
Playwright / Performer
Executive Producer

Nick J. Browne
Director

Victoria Blas
Stage Manager

Amanjeet Kaur
Dancer

Matthew Deinhart
Set & Lighting Designer

Xindi Xu
Costume Designer

Sara Vandenheuvel
Sound Designer

Alisha Desai
Choreographer

Support
Our Show

All donations to Song of Joy are tax-deductible. All funds raised will be used to compensate our incredible creative team & cover the show’s design expenses. Thank you so much for your generous support! We can’t wait to see you at the show!



Our Sponsors

We would like to thank all our donors (both public and private), who’s financial contributions are helping us bring this story to the stage.

Executive Producers
Jeffrey Arnstein

Producer
Dominic Joseph

Angels
Jade De Andrade

Sponsors
Zoe Richards, Ha-Vi Nguyen, Carrie Skinner, Judylee Vivier, Team Colorway, Jasmine Theccanat, Anna Jensen, Chris McCreary, Patrick Sabongui, Jeffrey Beck, Patrick Mulryan, Laura Tesman

Besties
Laura Smith, Hazel Leroy, Gabriel Vega Weissman, Ian Parker, Christy Frauman, Jessa Bock, Will Westray, Courtney Mentzel, Jennifer Kettell, Carolina Moreno, Nik Duggan, Juliana Jurenas, Tara Novie, Christina Roman, Sara Vandenheuvel

Friends
Jennifer Marinelli, Josh Warner, Ann Noling, Estefanía Fadul, Ian Wen, Emily Edwards, Maddie Bucci