Anika Noni Rose joins 'The Balusters' on Broadway; complete casting set

Richard Thomas, Margaret Colin, and more will also lead David Lindsay-Abaire's new comedy play at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre this spring.

Summary

• The cast of The Balusters on Broadway includes Marylouise Burke; Kayli Carter; Ricardo Chavira; Carl Clemons-Hopkins; Margaret Colin; Michael Esper; Anika Noni Rose; Maria-Christina Oliveras; Richard Thomas; and Jeena Yi
• Performances begin at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on March 31
• David Lindsay-Abaire's play is about an opinionated neighborhood association

Manhattan Theatre Club has completed its cast for its spring 2026 production of The Balusters on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, with Anika Noni Rose replacing the previously announced Renée Elise Goldsberry. Performances start March 31 ahead of an April 21 opening.

The Balusters cast includes Drama Desk Award winner Marylouise Burke (Ozark) as Penny Bewell, Emmy Award nominee Carl Clemons-Hopkins (Hacks) as Brooks Duncan, Drama Desk nominee Margaret Colin (Veep, Gossip Girl) as Ruth Ackerman, Tony Award winner Rose (Caroline, or Change; The Princess and the Frog) as Kyra Marshall, and Emmy Award winner Richard Thomas (The Waltons, It) as Elliott Emerson. Newly announced are Kayli Carter (Mrs. America) as Willow Gibbons, Ricardo Chavira (Ballard) as Isaac Rosario, Michael Esper (Appropriate, American Idiot) as Alan Kirby, Maria-Christina Oliveras (Between Riverside and Crazy) as Luz Baccay, and Jeena Yi (Network) as Melissa Han.

Written by Pulitzer and Tony winner David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Kenny Leon, The Balusters is a comedy play about a small town with big feelings. The Vernon Point Neighborhood Association is known for being passionate about the smallest details, but tensions soar to new heights when someone makes an unthinkable suggestion: installing a stop sign on the neighborhood's prettiest block.

Scenic design is by Derek McLane, costume design is by Emilio Sosa, lighting design is by Allen Lee Hughes, original music and sound design are by Dan Moses Schreier, fight direction is by Thomas Schall, and vocal coaching is by Deborah Hecht.