8 / 10
Under the direction of Stevie Walker-Webb, Oh Happy Day! covers a lot of ground, but its main theme is the age-old question: What is the role of God in the face of unimaginable suffering? To that, Oh Happy Day! says to "lean not on your own understanding,” before God drops an excellent metaphor about spilled milk and carpet cleaner.
4 / 10
“Oh Happy Day!” may sound like church: The plot retells the Biblical story of Noah’s Ark; a divinely-dressed trio called the Divines belt out original gospel songs; we hear theological discussions and sermon-like exhortations. But playwright and actor Jordan E. Cooper peoples his play with a struggling family in present-day Mississippi who are full of angry resentments and bitter memories. And Cooper, whose play “Ain’t No Mo’” on Broadway three years ago presented a collection of barbed satirical sketches, here largely puts drama and trauma center stage.
Oh Happy Day! at the Public Theater by writer-director duo Jordan E. Cooper and Stevie Walker-Webb extended again, now running through November 9 at Martinson Hall.
OH HAPPY DAY! opens tonight at The Public Theater. The play is a theatrical reimagining of Noah’s Ark from Tony Award-nominated writer and director duo Jordan E. Cooper and Stevie Walker-Webb. Read reviews for the production!
The Public Theater is now presenting the New York premiere of OH HAPPY DAY!, a new play featuring original songs by Grammy Award-winning Donald Lawrence, written by Tony Award-nominated Jordan E. Cooper, and directed by Tony Award-nominated and Obie Award-winning Stevie Walker-Webb. Check out photos from opening night here!
Check out newly released production photos of Jordan E. Cooper's latest production OH HAPPY DAY! now in performances at The Public Theater.
The Public Theater will begin previews for the New York premiere of OH HAPPY DAY!. The production has now been extended. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!
The Public Theater has revealed additional cast members for the New York premiere of OH HAPPY DAY!, a new play featuring original songs by Grammy Award-winning Donald Lawrence, written by Tony Award-nominated Jordan E. Cooper.
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Costume Design of a Play | Qween Jean |
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Music in a Play | Donald Lawrence |
