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Award-winning performer Taraji P. Henson is making her Broadway debut in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, a new production of the August Wilson play helmed by renowned director and performer Debbie Allen. Though the actress had previously been offered roles on the Great White Way, this marked the first time all the pieces came together for Henson.
“You just can’t say no to Debbie Allen,” Henson said on a visit to TODAY. The production is the latest in a line of August Wilson plays brought to the stage by Denzel Washington, which was also a draw for the actor.
“This is a great opportunity for people to see the greatness of August Wilson,” she shared. “We found the humor. Sometimes when you say August Wilson, people think deep drama and… it does tackle some very difficult, tough themes. But, such as life, there is always room for laughter. And my character is the love and laughter.”
Henson went on to speak about the significant impact Debbie Allen has had in her own career, as a recipient of the Dr. Andrew Allen Sr. Memorial Scholarship when she was a pregnant student. “She and Phylicia [Rashad] have been beacons of life throughout my entire career.” Watch the interview, and also check out her segment on TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle.
Starring Taraji P. Henson as ‘Bertha Holly’ and Cedric “The Entertainer” as ‘Seth Holly,’ this production of August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone is directed by Golden Globe Award, four-time Emmy Award winner and recipient of the 2026 Academy Honorary Award, Debbie Allen.
The limited engagement began performances on Monday, March 30 with an opening night set for Saturday, April 25 at Broadway’s Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street).
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone also stars Ruben Santiago-Hudson as ‘Bynum Walker,’ Joshua Boone as ‘Herald Loomis,’ Maya Boyd as ‘Molly Cunningham,’ Savannah Commodore and Dominique Skye Turner sharing the role of ‘Zonia Loomis,’ Abigail Onwunali as ‘Martha Loomis,’ Bradley Stryker as ‘Rutherford Selig,’ Tripp Taylor as ‘Jeremy Furlow,’ Christopher Woodley and Jackson Edward Davis sharing the role of ‘Reuben Scott,’ and Nimene Sierra Wureh as ‘Mattie Campbell.’ Understudies for the production are Jasmine Batchelor, Rosalyn Coleman, Thomas Michael Hammond, Cayden McCoy, and Kevyn Morrow.
