This article was originally published on BLAC Detroit.
Make sure to grab your tickets for the sure-to-be-incredible performances by these talented Black actors. The end of the year is a special time for Broadway. Step away from streaming for the weekend; hop on a flight to NYC and get all dressed up to take in stellar performances, on Broadway. The number of Black actors, directors, and playwrights on New York’s best stages is almost unheard of. With Broadway veterans and debuts, there are all types of talent gracing the stage. Check out BLAC’s list of Black male actors to catch on Broadway this season.
Iconic thespian Samuel L. Jackson portrays Doaker Charles in August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson. His wife, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, is directing the show. This is his second August Wilson play: in 1990 he appeared as Wolf in Two Trains Running. The Piano Lesson opens in October 2022 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.
John David Washington, son of Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington, will be making his Broadway debut playing Boy Willie in The Piano Lesson. The Piano Lesson opens October 2022 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.
3. Wendell Pierce
Wendell Pierce plays Willy Loman, a 63-year-old traveling salesman in Death of a Salesman. Aside from being widely known for his television and film career, Pierce has been in more than 10 on and off-Broadway productions, including The Piano Lesson. Death of a Salesman opens at the Hudson Theatre in October 2022.
4. Trai Byers
Trai Byers starred on the FOX’s hit show ‘Empire’ as Andre Lyon. In 2014, he portrayed James Foreman in the Ava DuVernay directed ‘Selma’. Most recently, Byers starred in, co-wrote and produced ‘The 24th’; the true story of the largest murder trial in US History. He holds an MFA from Yale School of Drama and is now making his Broadway debut.
5. Yahya Abdul-Mateen
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is making his Broadway debut as Booth in Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog. He is widely known for his role as Cal Abar/ Dr. Manhattan in the television series, Watchmen. Topdog/Underdog opens in October 2022 at the John Gold Theatre.
6. Corey Hawkins
Corey Hawkins is Lincoln in Topdog/Underdog. He has an extensive career in film and television for roles in In the Heights, Iron Man 3, Straight Outta Compton, The Walking Dead, and FOX’s 24. He made his Broadway debut as Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet. Topdog/Underdog opens in October 2022 at the John Gold Theatre.
Jesse Williams was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play in 2022 for his Broadway debut performance as Darren Lemming in the revival of Take Me Out. Take Me Out is playing at the Helen Hayes Theatre in October 2022.
8. Jordan E. Cooper
Jordan E. Cooper is the playwright and actor playing Peaches in Lee Daniel’s’ Ain’t No Mo’. Cooper was MC Tyrone on the hit show Pose and is also starring in The Ms. Pat Show. He is the youngest American playwright in Broadway history. Ain’t No Mo’ is opening at the Belasco Theatre in November 2022.
9. J. Harrison Ghee
J. Harrison Ghee is Jerry/Daphne in Some Like it Hot. Ghee has also starred in Kinky Boots as Lola and Andre Mayem in Mrs. Doubtfire. Some Like it Hot will open at the Shubert Theatre in November 2022.
10. Jeremy Pope
Jeremy Pope is Jean-Michel Basquiat in The Collaboration. This is his first time back on Broadway after his Tony and Grammy Award nominations in 2019-2020 for his performances in Ain’t Too Proud and Choir Boy. The Collaboration will be at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in December 2022.
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