Joan Joyce Day To Be Celebrated Sept. 27 In Waterbury, CT

“JOAN JOYCE DAY IN WATERBURY” SEPTEMBER 27, 2022

A TRIBUTE TO WATERBURY’S LEGENDARY ATHLETE

WATERBURY- Joan Joyce, the late, legendary Waterbury native who put women’s softball on the map and went on to become one of the greatest female athletes of all time in multiple sports, will be celebrated in the city on September 27, 2022 with a Press Conference declaring it Joan Joyce Day in Waterbury. Later that evening, Tony Renzoni, author of, Connecticut Softball Legend Joan Joyce and Keely Baisden Knudsen, co-author and star of Joan Joyce! The Musical team up to share excerpts and songs from their work which highlights Joyce’s incredible life and kicks off a new author talk series called "I Wrote That!"

SEPTEMBER 27, 2022

JOAN JOYCE DAY IN WATERBURY

WHAT: Announcement of Joan Joyce Day in Waterbury

TIME: 11:00 AM

WHERE: Palace Theater, 100 East Main Street, Waterbury CT

A tribute to Joan Joyce’s remarkable career that began as a teenager in her native city of Waterbury. Joyce’s ability as a softball phenom for the Raybestos Brakettes catapulted her to fame nationally. Joan Joyce will always be known as the unbeatable pitcher for the Brakettes and later the Connecticut Falcons. Her numerous career records — including an incredible 150 no-hitters and 50 perfect games — made her the best in the game. However, Joyce was also one of the most gifted athletes Connecticut has ever produced, as she also set records in basketball and later went on to a stellar career in the LPGA. She later shared her knowledge and passion as the longtime coach of the Softball program at Florida Atlantic University.

SPEAKING PROGRAM

Mayor Neil M. O’Leary

Frank Tavera, CEO, Palace Theater

Keely Baisden- Knudsen, co-creator Joan Joyce the Musical!

Semina De Laurentis, Founder & Artistic Director, Seven Angels Theatre

Expected to be in attendance family, former colleagues of Joan Joyce

WHAT: I Wrote That!

TIME: 7:00 PM

WHERE: Palace Theater, Poli Club, 2nd Floor, 100 East Main Street, Waterbury CT

Tickets can be purchased for the evening author talk and performance online at www.palacetheaterct.org, by phone at 203-346-2000, or in person at the Box Office, 100 East Main St, Waterbury. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm.

TICKETED EVENT

Tony Renzoni, author of, Connecticut Softball Legend Joan Joyce and Keely Baisden Knudsen, co-author and star of Joan Joyce! The Musical team up to share excerpts and songs from their work.

Joan Joyce who passed away March 27, 2022, will always be known as the unbeatable pitcher for the Raybestos Brakettes and the Connecticut Falcons, whose numerous career records — including an incredible 150 no-hitters and 50 perfect games — made her the best in the game. However, she was also one of the most gifted athletes Connecticut has ever produced, as she also set records in basketball and later went on to a stellar career in the LPGA. In his book, Tony Renzoni, profiled the multifaceted career of one of the country's greatest athletes.

His book also set the stage for a new musical, Joan Joyce! that premiered last summer at the Legacy Theatre in Stony Creek, CT. The musical, with book and lyrics by Keely Baisden Knudsen and Lauren Salatto-Rosenay, encourages young women to follow their dreams, never give up, and work hard to become all they can be...just like the late great Joan Joyce!