Taraji P. Henson to Make Broadway Debut in August Wilson Revival

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Taraji P. Henson and Cedric the Entertainer will take leading roles in the upcoming Broadway adaptation of “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.

Debbie Allen will take charge as director for the upcoming revival of August Wilson’s play, which belongs to his American Century Cycle and depicts the story of African-American travelers searching for sanctuary at a Pittsburgh boarding house in 1911. This production is scheduled to debut in the spring of 2026 at an as-yet-unspecified Shubert Theater.

Making her first appearance on Broadway is Henson, who is recognized for her roles in Empire, Hidden Figures, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, where she received an Academy Award nomination. More recently, she has been seen in Tyler Perry’s Straw, available on Netflix.

Renowned for his successful career in comedy and acting on shows like The Steve Harvey Show and The Neighborhood, Cedric The Entertainer made his Broadway debut in a 2008 revival of American Buffalo. He will soon appear as Seth Holly, the manager of a boarding house, alongside Henson’s character Bertha Holly.

As a fervent admirer, I’m thrilled to share that the boarding house I’m associated with warmly receives Herald Loomis – a man on a quest for his missing spouse and his personal identity, having been unjustly enslaved by Joe Turner. Further details regarding additional cast members will be revealed at a future date.

Allen first appeared on Broadway in 1970 for the play “Purlie“, and since then, she has taken leading roles in numerous productions including “Raisin“, “Ain’t Misbehavin’“, “West Side Story“, and “Sweet Charity“. In 2008, she made her Broadway directorial debut with the play “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof “, where she led an ensemble that included Terrence Howard, James Earl Jones, and her sister, Phylicia Rashad.

Brian Moreland, who produced Othello on Broadway last season, will produce. 

It’s a great privilege for us to revisit August Wilson’s remarkable body of work, specifically ‘Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,’ which is considered one of his most significant creations – a powerful examination of suffering, self-discovery, and resilience. Under Debbie Allen’s insightful guidance and with this talented ensemble, we aim to deliver a performance that stirs emotions deeply and leaves a lasting impression on everyone who witnesses it,” Moreland expressed.

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2025-06-30 17:24