Broadway Revival of August Wilson's 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone' Opens with Mixed Reviews

The revival of August Wilson's 1988 play "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" opened on Broadway at the Barrymore Theatre on April 25, 2026. Directed by Debbie Allen, the production stars Taraji P. Henson in her Broadway debut as Bertha and Cedric the Entertainer as Seth Holly, owners of a Pittsburgh boarding house in 1911.

The play, the second in Wilson's "The Century Cycle," explores Black American experiences after Emancipation, including themes of identity, home, love, and the lasting impacts of slavery and racism.

described the cast as stellar, with Ruben Santiago-Hudson delivering a fantastic performance as Bynum Walker, a conjurer and long-term boarder. Joshua Boone plays Herald Loomis, a drifter searching for his estranged wife, accompanied by his daughter Zonia, portrayed by Savannah Commodore.

Other boarders include Jeremy Furlow, played by Tripp Taylor, a young guitarist from South Carolina; Mattie Campbell, acted by Nimene Sierra Wureh; and Molly Cunningham, performed by Maya Boyd. Director Debbie Allen's staging struggles to express the play's blend of naturalism and mysticism, particularly in scenes involving Herald Loomis's torment and spiritual release.

David Gallo's scenic design features hanging window frames and freestanding doors, described as ho-hum and nomadic. The production runs two hours and 30 minutes with one intermission.

praised the play's timelessness, bursting with heart and humor, showcasing the intricacies and beauty of Black American life despite ongoing racism and discrimination. Taraji P. Supporting actors like Nimene Sierra Wureh, Tripp Taylor, and Abigail Onwunali received praise for their touching and devastating portrayals.

“The actor is the soul of this production, and deftly escapes its failings. Henson and Cedric the Entertainer.”

in 1911 Pittsburgh, the boarding house welcomes boarders seeking salvation, freedom from the South, and opportunities in the North. Characters face racism at work, with one boarder earning $8 a week laying roads. Herald Loomis's backstory involves being captured by Joe Turner and forced into a chain gang for seven years, stripping his sense of self.

The production includes elements like Bertha's biscuits, a box of dominoes, and warm coffee, creating a modest but welcoming home atmosphere. Costumes by Paul Tazewell and lighting by Stacey Derosier contribute to the shifting mood.