Story perspectives

Debbie Allen Directs “Joe Turner’s” Broadway Revival with Henson

4/27/2026

Summary

Debbie Allen Directs

The Broadway revival of August Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” opened at the Barrymore Theatre under director Debbie Allen.
Taraji P. Henson stars as Bertha Holly and Cedric “The Entertainer” plays Seth Holly.
The cast also includes Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Joshua Boone, Maya Boyd, Savannah Commodore, Dominique Skye Turner and others.
Understudies Jasmine Batchelor, Rosalyn Coleman, Thomas Michael Hammond, Cayden McCoy and Kevyn Morrow were listed for the production.

Summary

Herald Loomis Searches

The revival opens at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, the same venue of its 1988 Broadway debut.
Set in 1911 Pittsburgh, the play follows protagonist Herald Loomis as he searches for his lost wife while enduring seven years of enslavement by Joe Turner.
As the second work in playwright August Wilson’s American Century Cycle, opening night attracted a Black-Hollywood audience that underscored the focus on Black history and cultural resilience.

Summary

Allen Revives

Critics say the revival feels assembled rather than shaped, lacking the cohesion of past productions.
The production runs through July 26 at the Barrymore Theatre, 243 W. 47th St., New York.
Debbie Allen, a dancer-choreographer with limited Broadway directing experience, leads the revival, sparking appointment questions.
David Gallo designs an industrial backdrop of smokestacks and steel, softened by a small garden.
Cedric the Entertainer delivers a relaxed, funny Seth Holly performance that anchors the ensemble.

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Debbie Allen Directs

The Broadway revival of August Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” opened at the Barrymore Theatre under director Debbie Allen.
Taraji P. Henson stars as Bertha Holly and Cedric “The Entertainer” plays Seth Holly.
The cast also includes Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Joshua Boone, Maya Boyd, Savannah Commodore, Dominique Skye Turner and others.
Understudies Jasmine Batchelor, Rosalyn Coleman, Thomas Michael Hammond, Cayden McCoy and Kevyn Morrow were listed for the production.

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