Excerpt from the Dayton Daily News
Three-time Tony Award-winning producer Joey Monda, a Wright State University musical theatre graduate, could win his fourth Tony when the 76th annual ceremony airs live from New York City tonight.
The Youngstown native is nominated for producing the upbeat and uplifting jukebox musical “& Juliet,” a romantic comedy smartly reimagining Shakespeare’s heroine on a journey to find life and love after Romeo. Nominated for nine Tonys including Best Musical, the show features the music of pop hitmaker Max Martin (“Since U Been Gone,” “That’s The Way It Is,” “Roar,” “Larger Than Life,” “I Kissed a Girl,” and “Baby One More Time” among many others).
Monda saw the show in London’s West End in November 2021 with his fellow producing partner Lorenzo Thione of Sing Out, Louise! Productions. They instantly agreed it was a property worth backing.
“We loved it so much and knew we had to be a part of it whenever it came over to the U.S.,” said Monda, 33. “We were kept (informed) on the Broadway timeline and we jumped onboard to help with the marketing and raise the money to bring it to (Broadway). I don’t think any of us thought it would be the standout of the season it has been, but we knew it would do decently. It has taken a lot of people by surprise.”
“& Juliet” opened Nov. 17 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. In a season accented with heavier, dramatic nominees ranging from the revivals of “A Doll’s House,” “Parade” and “Sweeney Todd” to new works such as “Leopoldstadt” and “Prima Facie,” the show has distinguished itself as a feel-good diversion.
