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Cedric the Entertainer just made his Broadway debut in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, sharing the stage with Taraji P. Henson. The August Wilson classic officially opened on April 25, 2026, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Directed by Emmy winner Debbie Allen, this limited engagement promises unforgettable performances through July 26.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Opening Date: April 25, 2026 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Broadway
- Star Cast: Taraji P. Henson (Broadway debut) and Cedric the Entertainer star as Bertha and Seth Holly
- Runtime: This is Henson’s Broadway debut, making the production historically significant
- Director: Debbie Allen directs the August Wilson classic, winning critical acclaim
A Historical Moment: Taraji P. Henson Takes Broadway
Taraji P. Henson’s Broadway debut marks a major milestone in entertainment. Known for Hidden Figures and Empire, the Golden Globe winner brings star power to Pittsburgh in 1911. Cedric the Entertainer, celebrated from The Neighborhood, shares equal weight in this powerful ensemble. The two leads anchor a story about identity, memory, and survival during America’s Great Migration era.
Their chemistry on stage creates a warm, lived-in boardinghouse atmosphere. Both actors command the stage with authenticity and emotional depth, creating the perfect foundation for Wilson’s profound exploration of human connection and personal awakening.
Cedric the Entertainer stars on Broadway in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone alongside Taraji P. Henson
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Debbie Allen’s Visionary Direction Transforms the Classic
Emmy and Golden Globe-winner Debbie Allen brings fresh vitality to August Wilson’s masterpiece. Best known for Grey’s Anatomy and her production work on Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Allen demonstrates her theatrical brilliance here. The direction captures the play’s spiritual complexity while making it feel modern and urgent for 2026 audiences.
Her vision respects Wilson’s original text while illuminating new depths in each character. The boardinghouse setting becomes a character itself, alive with movement, music, and emotional resonance under Allen’s careful hand.
The Production Details and Cast Information
| Detail | Information |
| Opening Date | April 25, 2026 |
| Theatre | Ethel Barrymore Theatre, Broadway |
| Closing Date | July 26, 2026 (Limited Engagement) |
| Main Cast | Taraji P. Henson, Cedric the Entertainer, Joshua Boone, Ruben Santiago-Hudson |
The supporting ensemble features Joshua Boone (from Skeleton Crew) as Herald Loomis, Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson as Bynum Walker, Bradley Stryker, Tripp Taylor, Maya Boyd, Abigail C. Onwunali, and Nimene Sierra Wureh. This ensemble cast brings remarkable cohesion and emotional weight to the narrative.
August Wilson’s Timeless Masterpiece in Modern Context
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone remains Wilson’s most spiritually complex work. Set in Pittsburgh, 1911, the play explores migration, displacement, and spiritual redemption. Seth and Bertha Holly’s boardinghouse becomes a refuge for lost souls searching for meaning during one of America’s most transformative periods.
The arrival of Herald Loomis and his daughter disrupts the peaceful order. This catalyst drives the narrative toward profound revelations about freedom, identity, and the bonds connecting generations. Every character carries unseen trauma and unmet desires, making the play brutally honest and deeply moving.
“A drama of indisputable greatness.”
— The New York Times
Will This Limited Run Make Broadway History?
The three-month engagement creates urgency for theatre lovers. Taraji P. Henson’s Broadway debut combined with Cedric the Entertainer’s move to the stage makes this unmissable. Production photos released on April 21 reveal stunning visuals and authentic performances that hint at critical acclaim ahead.
Early reactions emphasize the ensemble chemistry and Allen’s masterful direction. Tickets start at $71-$75, with performances running through July 26. This strictly limited engagement means every show becomes a cultural moment worth experiencing before the curtain falls.
