What Happened Was tickets
1666others are checking this out!
About What Happened Was
They're a couple of powerhouses: Don't miss Emmy Award nominee Cecily Strong (Saturday Night Live) and Tony Award nominee Corey Stoll (Appropriate) in What Happened Was for 30 performances only! When two co-workers meet for dinner in a one-bedroom Manhattan apartment, what starts as small talk transforms into something much greater. As the characters unravel, they expose secrets, the power of attraction, and the universal need for human connection.
Experience playwright Tom Noonan's masterpiece, which inspired the Grand Jury Prize-winning 1994 Sundance film, back on a New York stage for the first time in nearly three decades. Get What Happened Was tickets on TodayTix now.
Run time
1hr 30min.
Categories
Age
Ages 14+.
Start date
April 14th, 2026
End date
June 14th, 2026
Stars on stage
Corey Stoll
Cecily Strong
What Happened Was cast and creative team
By: Tom Noonan
Director: Ian Rickson
Producer: Audible Theater and Together (Hugh Jackman and Sonia Friedman)
Cast list: Corey Stoll and Cecily Strong
Sets: Brett J Banakis and Christine Jones
Costumes: Kaye Voyce
Lighting: Japhy Weideman
Sound: Mikaal Sulaiman
Venue
More information about What Happened Was
What Happened Was is a special play that transcends time; though written decades ago, the play feels fresh as ever. The need for connection is always relevant, perhaps even more so today in our digital era. Tom Noonan's funny and tender play was widely acclaimed: it inspired the Grand Jury Prize-winning 1994 Sundance film and is now returning to New York for its first major revival.
The play asks what does it cost to let someone else in? Navigating boundaries, secrets, and desire, the play reveals the push and pull of getting closer to someone you didn't know you needed. Intelligent, sparkling, and offering rich roles to worthy actors, What Happened Was comes to a downtown theatre increasingly known for its bold programming and unique plays that continue to impress audiences.
Veteran director Ian Rickson, who was the Artistic Director of the Royal Court from 1998 to 2006, stages this revival.
What to watch for
- Corey Stoll is known for his roles on stage and screen, including Girls, Ant-Man, West Side Story, House of Cards, and more.
- Cecily Strong received back-to-back Emmy nominations for her work on Saturday Night Live and also appeared on TV's Schmigadoon!.
- Tom Noonan won an Obie Award for his play Wifey and also received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for What Happened Was at Sundance.
- Director Ian Rickson has many West End credits, including Uncle Vanya, The Birthday Party, Old Times, Betrayal, The Children’s Hour, and more.
Frequently asked questions
What is What Happened Was about?
What Happened Was is a tender drama about two co-workers who meet for a first date.
What is the running time of What Happened Was?
What Happened Was runs for 1hr 30min.
Which theatre is What Happened Was at?
What Happened Was is at New York's Audible’s Minetta Lane Theatre, which is located at 18 Minetta Lane (between Bleecker and West 3rd Street), New York, 10012.
How much are tickets for What Happened Was?
What Happened Was tickets start at $99.
What is the age recommendation for What Happened Was?
Ages 14+.
How do you get tickets for What Happened Was?
Check the top of this page for current availability on What Happened Was tickets on TodayTix.
