JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE 2026 Previews

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/29/26 at 12:00am

A second Broadway revival of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone begins previews tomorrow (March 30). One of ten dramas that make up August Wilson’s famous Pittsburgh Cycle, this production stars Taraji P. Henson and Cedric the Entertainer as Bertha and Seth Holly; they are complemented by Joshua Boone, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Maya Boyd, Abigail C. Onwunali, Bradley Stryker, Tripp Taylor, and Nimene Sierra Wureh. Directed by Debbie Allen, the play opens on April 25 and runs through July 19 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. 

“Set in Pittsburgh in 1911 during a pivotal era of migration and transformation, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone centers on Seth and Bertha Holly, who run a warm, orderly boardinghouse for those navigating uncertain paths. But when a mysterious man named Herald Loomis arrives with his young daughter, the stillness of the house begins to shift.”

Who’s booked a visit to the boardinghouse?

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 3/29/26 at 1:32pm

JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE merch

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/30/26 at 6:12pm

Approximate runtime is 2:30 including intermission, per the website. (Telecharge says that's subject to change.)

Updated On: 3/30/26 at 06:12 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/30/26 at 6:26pm

Also, this just extended once more, to July 26. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/30/26 at 9:38pm

I just looked at a handful of dates on Telecharge and they all appear half-sold or worse, even a few days from now.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 4/1/26 at 8:34am

Any early reports?

[TheOtherOne2]

Posted: 4/1/26 at 9:41am

I was surprised there had been no reports on this board after the first two previews so I checked on reddit.  Happily, the report on the first preview is a good one, well detailed.  It's such a beautiful play, I hope this production brings it to a new audience. 

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 4/1/26 at 1:15pm

TodayTix has the first few rows marked as restricted. Can anyone share as to why?

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 4/1/26 at 1:33pm

I adore this play and I wish I could see this production but it's an odd sell, no? There's a lot of great actors here but the only real star is Taraji P. Henson. I love her but I'm not sure she has ever carried a box office success? Cedric the Entertainer's only other Broadway credit is rather notorious for his inability to draw a crowd so... what did they think would set the box office on fire here? I hope it's great and I hope they have a smashing success... just a head scratcher for me.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 4/1/26 at 2:07pm

KJisgroovy said: "I adore this play and I wish I could see this production but it's an odd sell, no? There's a lot of great actors here but the only real star is Taraji P. Henson. I love her but I'm not sureshe hasever carried a box office success? Cedric the Entertainer's only other Broadway credit is rather notorious for his inability to draw a crowd so... what did they think would set the box office on fire here? I hope it's great and I hope they have a smashing success... just a head scratcher for me."

I think it's safe to say that Cedric The Entertainer would be considered a more well known Star -- since he is now in his 8th (and final) season as the co-lead of a moderately successful sitcom, The Neighborhood on CBS, which is now also in wide syndication.  

Updated On: 4/1/26 at 02:07 PM

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 4/1/26 at 2:14pm

That's a good point! I hope that's true. I find I'm never very good at predicting who will and who won't be a draw. I thought that American Buffalo woulda drawn a crowd and obviously I was very wrong about that.

[quizking101]

Posted: 4/5/26 at 9:04am

That production of American Buffalo was in 2008, when Cedric was still primarily known as one of the “Kings of Comedy”. Since then, he has been a ubiquitous presence on television, including three sitcoms (each at 3+ seasons runs) and a stint hosting Millionaire. 

However, the lack of buzz around this production since it opened in previews is actually a bit strange. Considering the pedigree behind it, I would have assumed the cast would be out on the talk show circuit promoting it. It also likely did not help matters that, as the economy continues to crater, the fact that they charged extremely high prices at the on-sale didn’t help things either and now the prices dropped. Currently, you can get rear orchestra seats for Monday night for $99.

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 4/5/26 at 10:56am

I saw a couple reports on reddit, but none on here so just thought I’d share my two cents.  

I really enjoyed this for the most part.  I’ve seen a few August Wilson plays at this point and really enjoy any opportunity to see his incredible plays live.  The use of language and imagery and magical realism is all so delicious to me.  We’ve also got Ruben Santiago-Hudson, who is somewhat of an August Wilson whisperer, giving an incredible performance here and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up with another Tony.  Cedric The Entertainer is also fantastic as Seth bringing a lot of heart and humor.  Other standouts include Joshua Boone, Nimene Sierra Wureh, and Abigail Onwunali (arriving in the last 15 minutes of the show and almost walking away with the entire thing).  Taraji is fine, but the role doesn’t really have much for her to do.  The rest of the cast is serviceable.  My main problem here was the direction—oftentimes it felt like the cast was kind of left to their own devices up there.  Some of the actors seemed like they were in different plays.  Additionally, larger group scenes felt oddly stagnant and poorly staged.  When the play elevates itself above realism, it feels like Ms. Allen is a little out of her depth as director.  These moments could be highlights in a different production, but instead feel uncertain.  Set is serviceable, costumes are great, and sound is crystal clear.  All in all, I definitely think this is worth seeing.  But honestly, any opportunity to see an August Wilson play live is a wise investment in my book.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 4/9/26 at 1:58pm

Saw this yesterday. I consider it my favorite of all Wilson’s plays and saw the Sher production at least 5 times.  This production is very very good…not great.  The performances are all well formed, a great ensemble indeed.  It did reinforce that this is an ensemble piece, so the fact that there are two big name leads makes the appeal factor less relevant (but, they were indeed, quite good!).

What the production lacks is the magical realism of the last revival.  Honestly, if I didn't know this piece so well, I would have never understood this to be an almost mystical piece.  For anyone who saw the Sher production, there’s nothing close to that magical ending. 

If you saw the Sher production, I’d argue that there is no need to see this revival.  If not, it’s a production worthy of its creator and should be seen if only to experience this brilliant writing.  

Aside: I immediately went back to my copy of Gem of the Ocean after watching this.  Those two play really play best in tandem. 

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/9/26 at 2:58pm

How does the Sher revival compare to the original Broadway staging from 1988, which was directed by the great Lloyd Richards? That production lasted 14 weeks only. During the early spring, around the official opening date, a detailed explanation of the plot and its multiple meanings was added to the Playbill. The production always struggled at the box office, despite multiple Tony nominations.

[PeterC6482]

Posted: 4/9/26 at 3:04pm

I actually have the same question as the previous posting. This play was a very hard sell in its initial Broadway production produced by Elliott Martin.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/9/26 at 4:05pm

I still have fond memories of the furniture melting into the floor in the Sher production. 

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 4/9/26 at 5:43pm

For me it was the glittering gold…

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 4/10/26 at 11:58am

Tyler Perry is joining the producing team. Curious how he is getting away with this considering he is on Actors’ Equity’s Do Not Work List

[Kad]

Posted: 4/10/26 at 12:25pm

Perry is not the employer on this production. 

[troynow]

Posted: 4/10/26 at 12:40pm

Perry is not the employer. And for the record all of the following tourring companies are on the same list, so move on.

Big League


Networks

Troika

Crossroads Live

 

[RUkiddingme]

Posted: 4/10/26 at 5:26pm

troynow said: "Perry is not the employer. And for the record all of the following tourring companies are on the same list, so move on.

Big League


Networks

Troika

Crossroads Live

"

troynow is still here?!?!   nice!