If you have been waiting for a reason to book your next trip to the theater, Broadway just delivered a massive one. Two of Hollywood’s most beloved stars, Cedric the Entertainer and Taraji P. Henson, have officially joined forces to lead the highly anticipated revival of August Wilson’s classic play, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.
Directed by the legendary Debbie Allen, this production is not just a must-see; it is a historic moment for the stage.
The production, which officially opened on April 25 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, marks a major career milestone for both lead actors: their inaugural appearances on the Broadway stage.
Set in 1911 during the era of the Great Migration, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone is the second installment in August Wilson’s iconic, 10-play American Century Cycle.
The story centers around Seth and Bertha Holly, played by Cedric and Henson, who run a warm, orderly boarding house in Pittsburgh. Their home serves as a much-needed refuge for Black travelers navigating uncertain paths, past traumas, and new beginnings.
However, the rhythm of the boarding house shifts when a mysterious man named Herald Loomis arrives with his young daughter. Searching for his lost wife and hoping to reclaim the identity he was forced to abandon during seven years of illegal enslavement, Loomis’s presence begins to awaken spiritual forces and old wounds among the residents.
Under the masterful direction of Emmy and Golden Globe winner Debbie Allen, the revival breathes fresh, urgent vitality into Wilson’s profound words. Allen’s vision beautifully captures the play’s spiritual complexity, collective memory, and the quiet power of human connection.
The star-studded stage is also anchored by theatrical heavyweights, including Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson as the rootworker Bynum Walker, and Tony Award nominee Joshua Boone as Herald Loomis.
With its limited 16-week engagement running through July 26, this stunning revival of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone is shaping up to be the theatrical event of the season.
