Taraji P. Henson: New Broadway Collab

A Powerhouse Collision: Taraji P. Henson and Debbie Allen Join Forces for Broadway Milestone

Entertainment Desk - The bright lights of Broadway are preparing for a seismic shift in the spring of 2026. In a landmark announcement, Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner Taraji P. Henson is set to make her long-awaited Broadway acting debut in a revival of August Wilson’s masterpiece, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.

Adding to the production's prestige is the visionary at the helm: the legendary Debbie Allen will direct. This collaboration marks a significant moment in American theater, bringing together two of the most influential women in entertainment to breathe new life into one of the most poignant plays of the 20th century.

__________________________________________________________________

The Production: August Wilson's "Joe Turner's Come and Gone"

Set in 1911 in a Pittsburgh boarding house, the play is the second installment in Wilson’s "American Century Cycle." It explores the profound spiritual and cultural shifts during the Great Migration, as Black Americans traveled North seeking a sense of belonging and identity.

• Venue: The Barrymore Theatre (the same venue where the play premiered in 1988).

• Key Dates: Previews begin March 30, 2026, with an official opening night on April 25, 2026.

• Limited Engagement: The production is scheduled for a strictly limited 15-week run through July 12, 2026.

__________________________________________________________________

The Cast: A Reunion of Icons

Henson will star as Bertha Holly, the steady and warm-hearted matriarch who runs the boarding house. Joining her is fellow entertainment titan Cedric "The Entertainer", who returns to Broadway to play her husband, Seth Holly.

The production also boasts a stellar supporting cast, including:

• Ruben Santiago-Hudson as Bynum Walker.

• Joshua Boone as Herald Loomis, the man searching for his identity and his lost wife.

__________________________________________________________________

Why This Debut Matters

While Henson is no stranger to the stage—having studied theater at Howard University—and has a Tony nomination under her belt as a producer for Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, this marks her first time performing on the "Main Stem."

For Debbie Allen, this project is a homecoming of sorts. A pioneer who made her own Broadway debut in 1970 (Purlie), Allen has since become a transformative force as a director and choreographer. Her return to direct a Wilson classic signals a production that will likely emphasize the "spiritual reckoning" and rhythmic, poetic nature of Wilson’s dialogue.

"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." — Brian Anthony Moreland, Producer

__________________________________________________________________

A Legacy Revived

The 1988 original production of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone helped launch the career of Angela Bassett. By stepping into this world, Henson and Allen are not just staging a play; they are continuing a lineage of Black excellence that defines the American theatrical canon.