August Wilson News

Soul Rep Theatre Company will launch its 2025–2026 season this fall, continuing its 30th anniversary celebration with productions that honor legacy, premiere new works, and uplift Black voices.

This week's industry news paints a complex picture of resilience, challenge, and change across the theatrical landscape. While new data reveals a promising, though uneven, post-pandemic recovery in both New York City foot traffic and the Canadian arts economy, financial realities remain stark, highlighted by the unfortunate closure of Berkeley's Aurora Theatre. Yet, signs of forward momentum are clear, with new leadership at the SDC Foundation, significant NAMT grants fostering new work, and Ohio creating new tax incentives for touring productions.

Everyman Theatre announced the addition of the immensely talented Baltimore based actor Chinai Routté to its Resident Company of Artists. Routté, a seasoned performer with a diverse background in theatre, film, and television, who brings a powerful presence and a charm to the Company. Her appointment underscores Everyman's commitment to fostering a dynamic ensemble of actors and designers that drives its artistic vision. 

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) will present its 2025–26 Master Class Series, offering monthly dance classes taught by company artists and artistic staff, beginning September 9, 2025. New this season, each class will include a post-class Q&A with the teaching artist.

George C. White, founder of the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, died August 6, 2025, just ten days before his 90th birthday. Over 37 years as Chairman, White transformed Waterford, Connecticut, into one of the most celebrated hubs for developing new plays and musicals in the United States.

Everyman Theatre will kick off its 2025/2026 season with a powerful production of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, The Piano Lesson. Learn more here!

Bilal will perform at the 15th anniversary of the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival (PIJF) co-presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. The concert is free on Liberty Avenue in front of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center

Having recently begun their run in Broadway's Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, Tony Award winner Billy Porter and Olivier Award nominee Marisha Wallace visited MSNBC's Morning Joe to discuss the production. Watch the interview now.

Recasting a star who is above the title of a musical is a tricky endeavor. That balance of someone who artistically fulfills the role and someone who can sell enough tickets to be worthy of the above-the-title placement is a complex one, and it seems to becoming a more and more common trend recently for shows, particularly star-driven revivals, to not do a second casting, even if they are financially successful.

Over the eight years I have been covering regional productions for BroadwayWorld.com (a number in the hundreds) this production of THE PIANO LESSON is without doubt one of the overall finest.  Simply stated it approaches flawless, a Broadway caliber production.

Billy Porter has returned to Broadway as the Emcee in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, a role he played earlier this year in the West End production. The Tony-winner recently visited Late Night with Seth Meyers to discuss the show, along with his beauty line Black Mona Lisa Beauty. Watch the interview!

Billy Porter and Marisha Wallace have officially joined the cast of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club. Check out photos of the duo meeting the press ahead of their run!

Black Theatre Troupe has unveiled its 2025–2026 season, featuring poignant dramas, vibrant musicals, and BTT’s legendary holiday tradition and more. See the full lineup of shows here!

Billy Porter is now playing the Emcee in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club and, ahead of opening night, the Tony-winner stopped by TODAY to share his thoughts on joining the production. Watch the interview!

Shakespeare & Company will present The Piano Lesson by August Wilson from July 25 through August 24 at the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre, in partnership with Actors’ Shakespeare Project.

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is July 22, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Billy Porter and Marisha Wallace will star as ‘Emcee’ and ‘Sally Bowles’ in the Tony Award-winning Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club at the August Wilson Theatre. See photos here!

Emmy Award, GRAMMY Award, and three-time Tony Award winner Billy Porter and two-time Olivier Award nominee Marisha Wallace will return to Broadway in Cabaret. Watch in this video as they chat more about being back on Broadway and so much more!

Playing the Emcee on Broadway has been a longtime dream for Billy Porter. The Tony-winner, who steps into the shoes of the Cabaret host this week, visited CBS Mornings to talk about playing the role in the current Broadway production. Watch the interview!

The Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) has announced a special ASL-interpreted performance of its acclaimed summer production, Memnon, taking place on Saturday, July 19 at 8:30 PM in Marcus Garvey Park.