Taraji P. Henson and Cedric the Entertainer are teaming up for a powerful new Broadway project that brings both emotion and unexpected laughter to the stage. They will star in the revival of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, a deeply meaningful play by August Wilson, set to open in spring 2026.
While the play covers serious topics about identity and historical trauma, Henson promises that she and Cedric will add light moments to the story. She believes their chemistry and experience will help balance the drama with touches of humour.
A Powerful Story Set in 1911
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone is the second play in August Wilson’s famous American Century Cycle. This series of ten plays focuses on the African-American experience, with each story set in a different decade of the 20th century.
This particular play is set in the year 1911 and follows a man who is trying to rebuild his life after years of being held captive. The story explores his pain, search for identity, and a spiritual journey toward healing.
Taraji and Cedric Take On Key Roles
In this new stage production, Taraji P. Henson will play Bertha Holly, the kind and strong matriarch of a Pittsburgh boarding house. Cedric the Entertainer will play her husband, Seth. Both characters are central to the storyline and offer support to others in the house who are also searching for meaning and healing.
Although the subject matter is emotional and heavy, Henson said during a recent interview at Megan Thee Stallion’s Pete & Thomas Foundation Gala that she and Cedric plan to find funny moments in their performances. “We’re gonna find some funny bits in there,” she said. “I’m excited about that.”
A Big Broadway Moment
This revival of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone will be directed by Debbie Allen and produced by Brian Anthony Moreland. Moreland has worked on other major theatre projects, including The Piano Lesson with Samuel L. Jackson and Othello with Denzel Washington.
For Cedric, this play is a return to Broadway after his 2008 role in American Buffalo. For Henson, this is her Broadway debut, though she was previously involved behind the scenes as a producer on Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, which received a Tony Award nomination.
A Longtime Collaboration
Taraji and Cedric are not new to working together. They first teamed up in the 2007 film Talk to Me, followed by roles in Larry Crowne (2011) and Madly Madagascar (2013). Henson praised Cedric’s casting in this play, saying, “He’s absolutely perfect for this role.”
More Details Coming Soon
The official opening date, theater location, and full cast list for Joe Turner’s Come and Gone will be announced in the coming months. For now, fans can look forward to seeing two well-loved performers bring fresh life to an important piece of theatre history.
