Jordan E. Cooper, a powerful advocate for the LGBTQIA community, creates stories that show the devastating mistreatment they can often endure from both family members and the world beyond. In his latest work, “Oh Happy Day”, a stunning musical playing at The Public Theater through Nov. 9, he looks at the struggles of Keyshawn, a gay sex worker who is disowned by his family. Keyshawn, also the victim of a violent crime, is preparing to cross over, but he must finally get to tell his family his truth, make peace in his own heart with his family, and make sure that they know what he has been through. Keshawn is guided by God and three Divine ladies, Holy Divine, Mighty Divine, and Glory Divine, while he attempts to embark on a journey of discovery and healing. He has to find a way for his heart to be healed and to lose the hate in his heart for his family before he can reach his divine home.
When we meet Keyshawn, his family is celebrating his father Lewis’s birthday, and when he comes by, the fireworks commence. He and his father take turns verbally abusing each other. His sister Niecy is happy to see him, but she has also judged him harshly for his lifestyle. His nephew Kevin is not really sure how to react towards him. As this story is being told, the audience is taken down a road that is not exactly what it seems to be. We are focusing on one path, but things are actually going in a different direction. What’s interesting about Cooper creating this musical is that he is letting people see that things are very different than how they may appear. Keyshawn comes off as an angry, abrasive individual, but he is really not that. He is someone who has been abandoned by his family, abused by the world, been blamed for his lifestyle, but never shown any compassion or understanding.
Cooper creates a story in which a person needs to find a clear path to healing by finally getting to have his say. Finally getting his family to not only listen to what he has gone through, but to have sympathy for this young man who has been ostracized and blamed for the family’s troubles for so long. The story being set up here is one that many audience members might empathize with — that feeling of being rejected, blamed, criticized, and maybe targeted for violence, but also not getting a chance to say their peace, have their voice heard, and get that positive acknowledgment from their families.
It is a musical that will leave an impression on you; as it was performed, I could hear people in the audience getting emotional. The production recognizes the battles that members of this community endure every day. It calls for more tolerance and allowing them to have a voice.
Cooper is not only the playwright of this meaningful piece, he also stars in it as Keyshawn.
“Oh Happy Day” has stirring original songs by Donald Lawrence and moving direction by Stevie Walker-Webb. It is presented in association with Baltimore Center Stage.
The performances are monumental, the singing inspired! Cooper goes through every emotion as Keyshawn. You feel his pain and walk with him through his journey. Tamika Lawrence is marvelous as Niecy, and her vocals are amazing. She is a sister who loves, but who also judges her brother. At the performance I attended, Brian D. Coats played Lewis, and he was quite riveting to watch. His emotional journey had many ups and downs. (This role is normally played by Charles Randolph Wright.) Donovan Louis Bazemore is outstanding as Kevin, a nephew who is more than what he seems at times. Tiffany Mann, Shelea Melody McDonald, and Latrice Pace bring in the spirit of church, brotherly love, and understanding as they perform as Holy Divine, Mighty Divine, and Glory Divine.
The production features scenic design by Luciana Stecconi, gorgeous costume design by Qween Jean, lighting design by Adam Honore, sound design by Taylor J. Williams, hair and wig design by Mia Neal, makeup design by Kirk Cambridge Del-Pesche, choreography by Eboni Nichols, music direction/supervision/orchestration/additional music by Daniel Rudin. For more info and for tickets, visit publictheater.org.