Jordan E. Cooper, a strong advocate for the LGBTQIA group, creates tales that present the devastating mistreatment they will usually endure from each relations and the world past. In his newest work, “Oh Blissful Day”, a surprising musical enjoying at The Public Theater by Nov. 9, he seems on the struggles of Keyshawn, a homosexual intercourse employee who’s disowned by his household. Keyshawn, additionally the sufferer of a violent crime, is getting ready to cross over, however he should lastly get to inform his household his reality, make peace in his personal coronary heart along with his household, and ensure that they know what he has been by. Keshawn is guided by God and three Divine women, Holy Divine, Mighty Divine, and Glory Divine, whereas he makes an attempt to embark on a journey of discovery and therapeutic. He has to discover a method for his coronary heart to be healed and to lose the hate in his coronary heart for his household earlier than he can attain his divine residence.
Once we meet Keyshawn, his household is celebrating his father Lewis’s birthday, and when he comes by, the fireworks begin. He and his father take turns verbally abusing one another. His sister Niecy is blissful to see him, however she has additionally judged him harshly for his way of life. His nephew Kevin isn’t actually positive how one can react in direction of him. As this story is being advised, the viewers is taken down a highway that’s not precisely what it appears to be. We’re specializing in one path, however issues are literally moving into a distinct path. What’s attention-grabbing about Cooper creating this musical is that he’s letting individuals see that issues are very totally different than how they might seem. Keyshawn comes off as an indignant, abrasive particular person, however he’s actually not that. He’s somebody who has been deserted by his household, abused by the world, been blamed for his way of life, however by no means proven any compassion or understanding.
Cooper creates a narrative through which an individual must discover a clear path to therapeutic by lastly attending to have his say. Lastly getting his household to not solely take heed to what he has gone by, however to have sympathy for this younger man who has been ostracized and blamed for the household’s troubles for therefore lengthy. The story being arrange right here is one which many viewers members would possibly empathize with — that feeling of being rejected, blamed, criticized, and perhaps focused for violence, but additionally not getting an opportunity to say their peace, have their voice heard, and get that optimistic acknowledgment from their households.
It’s a musical that can depart an impression on you; because it was carried out, I may hear individuals within the viewers getting emotional. The manufacturing acknowledges the battles that members of this group endure on daily basis. It requires extra tolerance and permitting them to have a voice.
Cooper isn’t solely the playwright of this significant piece, he additionally stars in it as Keyshawn.
“Oh Blissful Day” has stirring authentic songs by Donald Lawrence and transferring path by Stevie Walker-Webb. It’s introduced in affiliation with Baltimore Middle Stage.
The performances are monumental, the singing impressed! Cooper goes by each emotion as Keyshawn. You’re feeling his ache and stroll with him by his journey. Tamika Lawrence is marvelous as Niecy, and her vocals are superb. She is a sister who loves, however who additionally judges her brother. On the efficiency I attended, Brian D. Coats performed Lewis, and he was fairly riveting to look at. His emotional journey had many ups and downs. (This function is generally performed by Charles Randolph Wright.) Donovan Louis Bazemore is excellent as Kevin, a nephew who’s greater than what he appears at occasions. Tiffany Mann, Shelea Melody McDonald, and Latrice Tempo deliver within the spirit of church, cohesion, and understanding as they carry out as Holy Divine, Mighty Divine, and Glory Divine.
The manufacturing options scenic design by Luciana Stecconi, attractive costume design by Qween Jean, lighting design by Adam Honore, sound design by Taylor J. Williams, hair and wig design by Mia Neal, make-up design by Kirk Cambridge Del-Pesche, choreography by Eboni Nichols, music path/supervision/orchestration/further music by Daniel Rudin. For more information and for tickets, go to publictheater.org.
