Taraji P. Henson, Cedric 'The Entertainer' to star in 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone' on Broadway
Henson makes her Broadway acting debut, and Cedric returns to the first time since his 2008 debut, in the second revival of August Wilson's 1988 drama.
Golden Globe winner and Oscar, Tony, and Emmy nominee Taraji P. Henson and six-time NAACP Image Award winner Cedric “The Entertainer” will lead a new production of August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone on Broadway in spring 2026.
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone takes place in 1911 at a Pittsburgh boarding house for Black travelers navigating the Great Migration. The owners, Seth (Cedric) and Bertha Holly (Henson), take in a boarder named Herald Loomis, a man searching for his lost wife and for the self he lost while illegal enslaved under Joe Turner. His quest for a fresh start also shapes the journeys of others around him to find a future defined by more than pain.
Actor/director Debbie Allen will stage the production, which features Henson in her Broadway acting debut (she was previously a producer on Jaja's African Hair Braiding in 2023) and Cedric in his first Broadway appearance since making his debut in 2008's American Buffalo.
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone premiered on Broadway in 1988 and was revived in 2009. It is the second play in Wilson's American Century Cycle.
“We are truly honored to return to August Wilson’s legacy. Joe Turner’s Come and Gone is Wilson’s seminal masterpiece — an unflinching exploration of pain, identity, and hope," producer Brian Moreland said in a statement. "With Debbie Allen’s visionary direction and this extraordinary cast, the entire company will present a performance that resonates deeply and lingers in the hearts and minds of all who experience it.”
A venue, dates, and additional cast and creative team members have yet to be announced.
Photo credit. Taraji P. Henson and Cedric "The Entertainer." (Photos courtesy of production; Cedric photo by Jeff Katz)
Frequently asked questions
Where is Joe Turner's Come and Gone playing?
Joe Turner's Come and Gone is playing at Barrymore Theatre. The theatre is located at 243 West 47th Street, New York, 10036.
How do you book tickets for Joe Turner's Come and Gone?
Book tickets for Joe Turner's Come and Gone on New York Theatre Guide.
What is Joe Turner's Come and Gone about?
Joe Turner's Come and Gone is set in 1911, during the Great Migration, offering a moving meditation on memory, community, and the enduring hope of freedom reclaimed.
Who wrote Joe Turner's Come and Gone?
August Wilson, the famed writer of Fences and The Piano Lesson, wrote this drama.
Who directs Joe Turner's Come and Gone?
Debbie Allen, a stage and screen icon, directs this revival.
Is Joe Turner's Come and Gone good?
Yes; August Wilson is one of America's most cherished playwrights, and the show was nominated for the Tony for Best Play when it debuted in the 1980s.
Is Joe Turner's Come and Gone appropriate for kids?
The show has adult themes and audiences must be four and older to enter Broadway venues.
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