Ohio State Murders
Run Time:
75 minutes with no intermission
Closing: January 15, 202375 minutes with no intermission
Ohio State Murders - 2022 Broadway History , Info & More
James Earl Jones Theater (Broadway)
138 West 48th St. New York, NY
When writer Suzanne Alexander (Audra McDonald) returns to her alma mater as a guest speaker, in which she explores the violence in her works, a dark mystery unravels. Adrienne Kennedy's Ohio State Murders is an intriguing and unusual suspense play, as well as a social pertinent look at the destructiveness of racism in our society.
Ohio State Murders - 2022 - Broadway Cast
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Ohio State Murders
OHIO STATE MURDERS: GRABBED BY THE THROAT—BY RACISM AND MEMORY
10 / 10
A Zoom reading of the play during the pandemic immersed McDonald in the material, and director Kenny Leon has planted her amidst a first-rate physical production. Beowulf Boritt’s set incorporates reality and fancy much as Kennedy does. Suzanne is surrounded by law library volumes, for instance, but the shelves are overhead and askew like cards thrown into the air in Alice in Wonderland. It’s a snowy day in Columbus, but we see the constant flakes through a gaping gash in the black back wall, the shavings of a consciousness being deconstructed before our eyes. Allen Lee Hughes’ lighting subtly ushers us through mists of pain and memory, with Jeff Sugg’s deftly chosen projections illustrating historical moments.
Review: Who Committed the ‘Ohio State Murders’? Who Didn’t?
9 / 10
Kennedy, it seems, aims to forbid us the ease and release of a traditional scene, just as she has prescribed a conceptual set that in Beowulf Boritt’s rather stiff interpretation represents all locations and furniture as a tumble of library shelves full of law tomes. But McDonald is incapable of nonemotion; her performance builds to a shattering catharsis that may in some ways be unauthorized. Leon, too, works smartly against the grain of the play. In thoughtfully mimed vignettes, he shows us that the other characters, beautifully enacted if with little to say, are not just puppets of Suzanne’s memory but living creatures with their own struggles. They are lit (by Allen Lee Hughes) and costumed (by Dede Ayite) less forbiddingly than the script might lead you to expect, and accompanied by sound and music (by Justin Ellington and Dwight Andrews) that admits other emotions to the horror. Even the babies are touchingly represented: slips of pink fabric, delicate as scarves and as easily lost.
Video: Audra McDonald Comments on OHIO STATE MURDERS Closing
by Stephi Wild - January 9, 2023
by Stephi Wild - January 9, 2023
As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Ohio State Murders will close on Broadway on January 15. In this video, the play's star, Audra McDonald, took to Instagram to share her thoughts on the production closing.
VIDEO: Audra McDonald Talks OHIO STATE MURDERS & THE GILDED AGE on TODAY
by Michael Major - January 6, 2023
by Michael Major - January 6, 2023
Audra McDonald appeared on The TODAY Show this morning to discuss appearing on Broadway in Ohio State Murders and filming the upcoming second season of The Gilded Age. McDonald also discussed the difference between Ohio State Murders and A Beautiful Noise, in which her husband, Will Swenson, stars as Neil Diamond. Watch the video now!
OHIO STATE MURDERS to Play Final Performance on Broadway This Month
by Chloe Rabinowitz - January 5, 2023
by Chloe Rabinowitz - January 5, 2023
Ohio State Murders will play its final performance on Sunday, January 15, 2023. See how to purchase tickets and more.
VIDEO: Audra McDonald Reveals Why OHIO STATE MURDERS Is Her 'Hardest' Role on THE VIEW
by Michael Major - December 15, 2022
by Michael Major - December 15, 2022
While on The View, Audra McDonald discussed Adrienne Kennedy's Broadway debut at 91 and why Ohio State Murders is her hardest role yet. McDonald also discussed why her stage fright as gotten worse, her husband Will Swenson's Neil Diamond impression, and the new season of The Gilded Age. Watch the new interview video now!
Video: On the Red Carpet for Opening Night of OHIO STATE MURDERS
by Red Carpet - December 12, 2022
by Red Carpet - December 12, 2022
BroadwayWorld was on the red carpet for opening night of Ohio State Murders, which is running on Broadway at the James Earl Jones Theatre. In this video, watch as we take you inside the big night!
Photos: Stars Walk the Red Carpet for Opening Night of OHIO STATE MURDERS
by Bruce Glikas - December 9, 2022
by Bruce Glikas - December 9, 2022
Ohio State Murders officially opened last night on Broadway. Starring Emmy, Grammy, and Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald and directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon, Ohio State Murders is the first show to play at the renamed and renovated James Earl Jones Theatre.
Photos: OHIO STATE MURDERS Cast Celebrates Opening Night!
by Bruce Glikas - December 9, 2022
by Bruce Glikas - December 9, 2022
See photos of the cast of Ohio State Murders, including Audra McDonald and more, celebrating their opening night on Broadway!
Photos: Audra McDonald and the Cast of OHIO STATE MURDERS Take Their Opening Night Bows
by Bruce Glikas - December 9, 2022
by Bruce Glikas - December 9, 2022
Ohio State Murders officially opened last night on Broadway. starring Emmy, Grammy, and Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald. BroadwayWorld was there at last night's opening, and you can check out photos from the curtain call here!
Review Roundup: Audra McDonald Stars In OHIO STATE MURDERS On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - December 8, 2022
by A.A. Cristi - December 8, 2022
Ohio State Murders officially opens tonight on Broadway. Starring Emmy, Grammy, and Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald and directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon, Ohio State Murders is the first show to play at the renamed and renovated James Earl Jones Theatre. Read the reviews!
Photos/Video: First Look at Audra McDonald and More in OHIO STATE MURDERS, Opening Tonight!
by Show Highlights - December 8, 2022
by Show Highlights - December 8, 2022
Ohio State Murders officially opens tonight on Broadway. Starring Emmy, Grammy, and Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald and directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon, Ohio State Murders is the first show to play at the renamed and renovated James Earl Jones Theatre. Check out all new photos and video clips from the play here!
Interview: Is Tony Nominee Bryce Pinkham the Broadway King of Murder Shows?
by Chloe Rabinowitz - December 10, 2022
by Chloe Rabinowitz - December 10, 2022
Read BroadwayWorld's interview with Tony nominee Bryce Pinkham, who is currently starring alongside Audra McDonald in the Broadway premiere of Adrienne Kennedy's Ohio State Murders.
OHIO STATE MURDERS To Support Black Arts Organizations With Ticketing Initiative
by Chloe Rabinowitz - December 5, 2022
by Chloe Rabinowitz - December 5, 2022
Ohio State Murders on Broadway has announced a special ticketing initiative with a number of New York-founded Black arts and culture organizations including National Black Theatre, The Harlem Arts Alliance, Black Theatre Coalition and The Classical Theatre of Harlem to help support their mission and efforts.
OHIO STATE MURDERS Launches Digital Lottery and In-Person Rush Tickets
by Chloe Rabinowitz - November 11, 2022
by Chloe Rabinowitz - November 11, 2022
Preview performances for playwright Adrienne Kennedy’s Ohio State Murders begin Friday, November 11 on Broadway at the James Earl Jones Theatre. A limited number of tickets will be available via digital lottery.
Video: Audra McDonald and Kenny Leon Open Up About the Drama of OHIO STATE MURDERS
by Backstage With Richard Ridge - November 12, 2022
by Backstage With Richard Ridge - November 12, 2022
Watch this video, as Audra McDonald and Kenny Leon talk all about the new play Ohio State Murders, which will be the first show to play at the newly renamed James Earl Jones Theatre beginning Friday, November 11, 2022 and opening on Thursday, December 8, 2022 for a strictly limited engagement.
Video: Audra McDonald, Lizan Mitchell & More Discuss Bringing OHIO STATE MURDERS to Broadway
by Sneak Peek - November 6, 2022
by Sneak Peek - November 6, 2022
Ohio State Murders will be the first show to play at the newly renamed James Earl Jones Theatre beginning Friday, November 11, 2022 and opening on Thursday, December 8, 2022 for a strictly limited engagement. Watch the cast discuss the show's Broadway premiere with Richard Ridge here!
Meet the Cast of OHIO STATE MURDERS, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!
by Stephi Wild - November 11, 2022
by Stephi Wild - November 11, 2022
Ohio State Murders will be the first show to play at the newly renamed James Earl Jones Theatre when it begins previews tonight, Friday, November 11, 2022 ahead of an opening on Thursday, December 8, 2022. Meet the cast of Ohio State Murders here!
Photos: Audra McDonald and the Cast of OHIO STATE MURDERS Meet the Press
by Bruce Glikas - November 3, 2022
by Bruce Glikas - November 3, 2022
The cast for the Broadway premiere of Ohio State Murders by Adrienne Kennedy recently met the press, and BroadwayWorld was there. Check out the photos here!
Bryce Pinkham, Lizan Mitchell & More Join Audra McDonald in OHIO STATE MURDERS; Full Cast Announced
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 17, 2022
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 17, 2022
The complete cast for the Broadway premiere of Ohio State Murders by Adrienne Kennedy is now announced. Joining Emmy, Grammy, and Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, Tony Award nominee Bryce Pinkham, and Drama Desk nominee Lizan Mitchell.
Up on the Marquee: OHIO STATE MURDERS
by Jennifer Broski - October 12, 2022
by Jennifer Broski - October 12, 2022
Ohio State Murders will be the first show to play at the newly renamed James Earl Jones Theatre with previews beginning Friday, November 11, 2022 and open on Thursday, December 8, 2022.
OHIO STATE MURDERS On Broadway Adds Bryce Pinkham and Lizan Mitchell
by A.A. Cristi - September 23, 2022
by A.A. Cristi - September 23, 2022
Tony Award nominee Bryce Pinkham and Lizan Mitchell will join Audra McDonald for the Broadway premiere of Ohio State Murders by Adrienne Kennedy.
Ohio State Murders History
Other Productions of Ohio State Murders
| 2007 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway |
| 2022 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
Ohio State Murders - 2022 Broadway Awards and Nominations
Note: Award winners will appear on a background
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play | Audra McDonald |
| 2023 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play | Allen Lee Hughes |
| 2023 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Play | Ohio State Murders |
| 2023 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play | Beowulf Boritt |
| 2023 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Sound Design of a Play | Justin Ellington |
| 2023 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Play | Ohio State Murders |
| 2023 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play | Audra McDonald |
| 2023 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Play | Ohio State Murders |
| 2023 | Tony Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play | Audra McDonald |
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