Rehearsals are underway for the upcoming Off-Broadway bow of Jordan E. Cooper (Ain't No Mo')'s new musical Oh Happy Day!, a saucy reimagining of the Noah's Ark story, at the Public. Performances begin in the company's Martinson Hall October 2 ahead of an October 15 opening, with Stevie Walker-Webb at the helm. The run is continuing through November 2.
Get a first look at the upcoming musical in the video and gallery below.
The cast features Cooper as Keyshawn with Tamika Lawrence as Niecy, Tiffany Mann as Holy Divine, Sheléa Melody McDonald as Mighty Divine, Latrice Pace as Glory Divine, and Keith Randolph Smith as Lewis, along with understudies Jayna Elise, Brian D. Coats, and Cole Taylor. Cooper, Lawrence, and Pace are reprising their performances from the work's 2024 world premiere at Baltimore Center Stage.
The work reimagines the Biblical story of Noah's Ark, reset to begin at a birthday barbecue in Laurel, Mississippi, and featuring original music by gospel icon Donald Lawrence.
The production will feature scenic design by Luciana Stecconi, costume design by Qween Jean, lighting design by Adam Honoré, sound design by Taylor J. Williams, prop management by Samantha Llanes Gordon, choreography by Eboni Nichols, and dramaturgy by Jack Phillips Moore. Jakob W. Plummer will serve as production stage manager with Monet Thibou as stage manager.
Visit PublicTheater.org.
Latrice Pace, Sheléa Melody McDonald, and Tiffany Mann
Latrice Pace
Jordan E. Cooper and Tamika Lawrence
Jordan E. Cooper and Keith Randolph Smith
Stevie Walker-Webb
Tamika Lawrence
Keith Randolph Smith and Tamika Lawrence
Tamika Lawrence
Latrice Pace
Latrice Pace, Sheléa Melody McDonald, and Tiffany Mann
Jordan E. Cooper
