Kelly will portray Elsa, the role originally announced for Moriber. The latter left the production "due to scheduling conflicts."

Directed by Ben Rimalower, who helmed the all-star Snoopy concert, John Fisher's touching story of seven college friends will officially open Aug. 14. The cast will also include Ken Barnett as Corey, Michael Busillo as Darryl, Ben Curtis as Christian, January LaVoy as Kegan, Christopher Sloan as Gabriel and Paul Whitthorne as Paul. James DeForte choreographs with musical direction by Mark Hartman.

Joy, according to production notes, "follows a group of college friends as they fall in and out of love in San Francisco over the course of a year. While working to complete his doctoral dissertation, Paul, an aspiring writer (and stubbornly offbeat historian) meets Gabriel, an irresistibly sweet (and still-closeted) undergrad with a disarming smile and a refreshingly romantic sensibility. As Paul and Gabriel grow closer, they realize the importance of balancing each other's social viewpoints and maintaining their own individuality, all while managing their friends' expectations and the wild electricity generated between Kegan and Elsa, a passionate pair of budding lesbians."

The creative team for Joy comprises Wilson Chin (set design), David Kaley (costume design), Ben Stanton (lighting design) and Zach Williamson (sound design). Producers are Sean Mackey, Eva Price and director Rimalower.

Ryan Kelly has appeared on stage in Hardboiled, The War of the Worlds and The Hating Pot. Her screen credits include "Dorian Blues" and "All My Children." Joy will play Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at 8 PM, Saturdays at 5 and 9 PM and Sundays at 3 and 7 PM. Tickets, priced at $65, are available by calling (212) 239-6200. The theatre is located at 100 Seventh Avenue South. For more information visit www.joytheplay.com