Reflections on August Wilson with Cast from Joe Turner's Come and Gone on Broadway

A star-studded lineup from the Broadway production of Joe Turner's Come and Gone joins us to reflect on "theater's poet of Black America" August Wilson. We'll welcome Taraji P. Henson, Cedric the Entertainer, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Joshua Boone, and Abigail Onwunali to help us celebrate an extraordinary artist and his deep contributions to the American theater.

This event will take place in person and online at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library on the 7th Floor.

To join the event in person | Doors will open 30 minutes before the program begins. For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. All registered seats are released shortly before start time, and seats may become available at that time. A standby line will form 30 minutes before the program.

To view the livestream | Whether you're attending in person or online, you must register with your email address. You will need a device with audio and/or video and an internet/cellular connection to view the livestream.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Taraji P. Henson is an Academy Award–nominated actor, producer, #1 New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur and mental health advocate with a globally celebrated career. Henson earned an Academy Award nomination for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Her breakout performance came in 2001 when she starred in John Singleton’s Baby Boy. Additional film credits include Hustle & Flow, Hidden Figures and the award-winning musical adaptation of The Color Purple. On television, she won a Golden Globe Award and made history as the first Black woman to win the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Cookie Lyon on “Empire,” alongside multiple Primetime Emmy nominations. She recently starred in Tyler Perry’s Straw for Netflix, which debuted as the #1 film globally in its first week and earned her an NAACP Image Award. She also led Peacock’s “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist,” the platform’s most-watched premiere. In 2024, she earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Play as a producer on Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone marks her Broadway stage debut. She is also the founder of the Boris L. Henson Foundation.

Cedric the Entertainer | Cedric Antonio Kyles, better known by his stage name, Cedric “The Entertainer,” is an executive producer, director, actor, comedian and novelist. Over the course of a career spanning 30 years, he has solidified his status as one of the world’s premier performers on the stage, in film, and on television. Most recently, Cedric has wrapped production of his eight-season long-running hit CBS comedy series “The Neighborhood” in which he starred and served as executive producer. His versatile film work spans genres, from memorable performances in comedies such as the hit Barbershop franchise and The Original Kings of Comedy concert film—which chronicled his record-breaking comedy tour with fellow comedians Steve Harvey, D.L Hughley and Bernie Mac—to dramas like Paul Schrader’s critically acclaimed, Oscar nominated drama First Reformed, co-starring Ethan Hawke and Amanda Seyfried, as well as his signature baritone voice in animated hits such as Disney’s Madagascar and Planes franchises, Ice Age and Dr. Dolittle 2, among many others. In 2023, he released his debut novel, Flipping Boxcars, for Amistad Press/HarperCollins. In 2008, Cedric made his Broadway debut in David Mamet’s renowned play American Buffalo.

Ruben Santiago-Hudson is delighted to be with the great August Wilson once again. Ruben received a Tony Award as featured actor for his performance in August Wilson’s Seven Guitars. Other Broadway credits include Jelly’s Last Jam, Stick Fly, Gem of the Ocean and his autobiographical play Lackawanna Blues. With Lackawanna Blues Ruben became the first person in Broadway history to write, direct and star in a play. Lackawanna Blues was awarded the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards and a Tony Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor. Other notable roles include The Winter’s Tale, How I Learned What I Learned, Measure for Measure, Ceremonies in Dark Old Men, A Soldier’s Play, Henry VIII, East Texas Hot Links and A Raisin in the Sun, among many others.

Joshua Boone was last seen on Broadway playing the Tony, Grammy and Drama League-nominated role of Dallas Winston in The Outsiders. He starred in Netflix’s NAACP Award-nominated film A Jazzman’s Blues and the NAACP Award-winning film Love, Brooklyn. Other Broadway credits include Skeleton Crew (MTC, Drama Desk nom.), Network and Holler If Ya Hear Me. Upcoming: Blow the Horn.

Abigail Onwunali | Broadway: Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. Off-Broadway: King Lear (La MaMa), Bloodwork (NBT). Regional: The Grove, Sojourners (Huntington). A Princess Grace Award winner and a playwright, she is developing work with NYTW, Page 73 and La MaMa. MFA: Yale School of Drama. Abigail calls H-Town and Nigeria home. She is grateful to God, her family, friends and all who support her. Find her @abigailonwunali.

August Wilson at NYPL

• Explore his life and read his plays in NYPL's Collection.


• Discover more theater resources through the Library for the Performing Arts, including the Theater on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT).

Don't have a New York Public Library card? Get one here!

ACCESSIBILITY NOTES

In-Person

• Assistive listening devices and/or hearing loops are available at the venue.


• ASL interpretation and real-time captioning (CART) are available upon request. Please submit your request via this form or contact SNFL at least two weeks in advance.


• This venue is fully accessible to wheelchairs.

Livestream

• ASL interpretation and real-time captioning (CART) also available (see previous).


• Captions and a transcript will be provided.

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Please submit all press inquiries to Connor Goodwin at least 48 hours before the event: email [email protected].
 

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All programs are subject to change or cancellation. All events at The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library are subject to recording and photography. 

The 7 Stories Up Series at SNFL is made possible by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).