Joe Turner’s Come and Gone Tony Preview
Will President Obama’s Visit Help Show?
BROADWAY MAGAZINE – The amazing revival of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone deserves the Tony Award for Best Revival for many reasons, not the least of which is the power to bring a sitting president to Broadway for the first time since Eisenhower (who saw Hello Dolly). Will the 800+ Tony voters overlook August Wilson to genuflect to the West End? Quite likely. Again these are all exceptional productions in this category, The Norman Conquests is highly entertaining and a buzz getter, but Joe Turner’s Come and Gone is entertaining and ennobling. Shame if it is neglected. Check out the Tony Award Winners room live on www.Broadway.tv tomorrow night, and ask a question of a Tony Award Winner. Here’s a look at Joe Turner’s Come and Gone on Tony Night.
“Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” is a play by American playwright, August Wilson, and the second installment of his decade-by-decade chronicle of the African-American experience, “The Century Cycle.” The play chronicles the lives of freed former enslaved African-Americans in the North, dealing with issues of race, personal identity and finding your way through life’s complications. The 2009 revival garnered 6 Tony Nominations: Best Revival of a Play, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play (Roger Robinson), Best Direction of a Play (Bartlett Sher), Best Scenic Design of a Play (Michael Yeargan), Best Lighting Design of a Play (Brian MacDevitt), and Best Sound Design of a Play (Scott Lehrer and Leon Rothenberg)
