Oh Happy Day!
Closing: November 09, 2025Oh Happy Day! - 2025 Off-Broadway History , Info & More
Joseph Papp Public Theater
425 Lafayette Street New York, NY 10003
An impending flood is the least of the Johnson family’s troubles in this outrageous reimagining of Noah’s Ark from Tony Award-nominated writer and director duo Jordan E. Cooper and Stevie Walker-Webb. OH HAPPY DAY! begins in Laurel, MS, at a birthday BBQ for Lewis, the patriarch of the family. Shortly after his estranged son Keyshawn (played by Cooper) makes a surprise appearance, absurdity ensues on a day that will change their world forever. Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Donald Lawrence writes original songs for this biting new play about confronting the divine.
Oh Happy Day! - 2025 - Off-Broadway Cast
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Oh Happy Day!
'Oh Happy Day!' Off-Broadway review — a modern-day, musical Noah’s Ark tale
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.
Oh Happy Day Review
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.
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OH HAPPY DAY! at The Public Theater Extends to November 9
by Gillian Blum - November 2, 2025
by Gillian Blum - November 2, 2025
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.
Review Roundup: Jordan E. Cooper's OH HAPPY DAY Opens At The Public Theater
by A.A. Cristi - October 15, 2025
by A.A. Cristi - October 15, 2025
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!
Photos: Jordan E. Cooper's OH HAPPY DAY! Celebrates Opening Night
by Jennifer Broski - October 16, 2025
by Jennifer Broski - October 16, 2025
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!
Photos: Jordan E. Cooper's OH HAPPY DAY At The Public Theater
by A.A. Cristi - October 9, 2025
by A.A. Cristi - October 9, 2025
Check out newly released production photos of Jordan E. Cooper's latest production OH HAPPY DAY! now in performances at The Public Theater.
Jordan E. Cooper's OH HAPPY DAY! Extends at The Public
by Chloe Rabinowitz - September 26, 2025
by Chloe Rabinowitz - September 26, 2025
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!
Additional Cast Set for Jordan E. Cooper's OH HAPPY DAY! at The Public
by Chloe Rabinowitz - August 14, 2025
by Chloe Rabinowitz - August 14, 2025
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.
Oh Happy Day! History
Other Productions of Oh Happy Day!
| 2025 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway |
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