August Wilson Plays on Broadway

Few US playwrights are as influential as Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson, who brought the African American experience to the stage in his groundbreaking Century Cycle of plays, including Fences and The Piano Lesson. His legacy was so great that, after he died in 2005, the New York Times called him the “theater poet of Black America”, and he became the first African American to have a Broadway theatre named in his honour.

Watching an August Wilson play on Broadway is a great experience, and luckily his work is often staged in NYC. You can browse productions currently booking and past productions below. If nothing’s on right now, set an alert, and we’ll let you know when they’re back. Keep in mind that future revivals will have a different cast and creative team from the past productions listed here.

Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

A Pittsburgh boarding house is the setting for this acclaimed Wilson play, which takes place in 1911. Seth and Bertha Holly welcome a motley crew of guests who are all searching for a new beginning during the Great Migration. Amongst them are Herold Loomis and his young daughter Zonia, whose arrival unsettles the entire guest house. Exploring ancestry, generational trauma, and memory, this second part of the Pittsburgh Cycle is a powerful story that continues to be popular with audiences.

Last On: 2026, Barrymore Theatre, starring Taraji P. Henson and Cedric the Entertainer.

The Piano Lesson

One of August Wilson’s most famous plays, The Piano Lesson is the fourth part of the Century Cycle. Set during the aftermath of the Great Depression, it follows Berniece and her brother Boy Willie as they grapple over legacy and identity. At the centre of this debate is the family piano, which she sees as a strong connection to her ancestors, but he sees as an opportunity. The Piano Lesson won the 1990 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play. It has been revived several times since its premiere in the 1980s.

Last On: 2022, Barrymore Theatre, starring Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington and Danielle Brooks.

Jitney 

Set in 1877, Jitney is the eighth play in Wilson’s Century Cycle and focuses on a group of African American taxi drivers in Pittsburgh who drive unlicensed “jitney” cabs. Set entirely in the company’s office, this intimate drama explores the lives of the men who work at the firm, including owner Becker, whose son is being released from jail after 20 years. Add in the threat of urban renewal and gentrification, and you have a compelling “drawing room” drama with a twist.

Last On: 2016, Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, its Broadway debut.

What Are August Wilson’s Most Famous Plays?

August Wilson is best known for his Pittsburgh Cycle of 10 plays, also known as the American Century Cycle. Each play is set in a different decade of the 20th century and follows the African American experience in a fictional Pittsburgh neighbourhood. The most famous plays in the cycle are Fences and The Piano Lesson, which both won Wilson the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Other major works by Wilson include Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, which were both nominated for Best Play at the Tony Awards.

How Often Are Plays by August Wilson Performed in New York?

August Wilson is a very respected and popular playwright, and theatregoers can often see revivals – complete with star-studded casts – on Broadway. In the last decade, there have been several productions, including Jitney’s first-ever Broadway run in 2017.

The most frequently performed Wilson plays are Fences, which was also adapted into an Academy Award-winning film, and The Piano Lesson.

If you want to catch an August Wilson play on Broadway, see what’s currently on above or set an alert for future productions. 

Where Can I Find Out More About Works by August Wilson? 

You can read about August Wilson’s life, career and legacy via the August Wilson Society.

What Else Can I See If I Like August Wilson?

If you like Wilson’s focus on character-driven drama and the American experience, similar shows include Lynn Nottage’s Sweat and Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. For dramas with a similar ambitious scope that delve into the experiences of a particular community, try Angels in America and Dominique Morisseau’s Detroit Project Cycle, which includes Skeleton Crew.