9 / 10
I spent a restless, almost sleepless night after seeing the play, haunted by its peculiar, unsettling power. Encountering a great work of art can be as disorienting as it is rewarding. “Ohio State Murders” leaves a lasting imprint—I picture a bloody handprint—on what for lack of a better term I’ll call the soul.
10 / 10
McDonald is also performing a double role — playing both present-day and college-age Suzanne, where previous productions have cast two actors. It’s another means of showing how fresh decades-old wounds can feel, and their lifelong reverberations, while taking full advantage of McDonald’s versatility. Leon’s production presents a bold, and unmistakable, visual representation of Kennedy’s argument for literature and imagination as both proof of human horror and an essential escape from it. The set design by Beowulf Boritt, a suspended cascade of bookshelves, sharply lit by Allen Lee Hughes, might be too on the nose were it not so startlingly beautiful. By any obvious measure, Kennedy’s arrival on Broadway in her ninth decade is long overdue. Commercial theater has not generally been the most fertile ground for daring, confrontational work that spotlights the voices and experiences of the most marginalized. But when an exception takes root, with a team of artists as visionary as these, it’s certainly worth the wait.
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.
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 will play its final performance on Sunday, January 15, 2023. See how to purchase tickets and more.
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!
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!
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.
See photos of the cast of Ohio State Murders, including Audra McDonald and more, celebrating their opening night on Broadway!
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!
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!
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!
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 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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
Tony Award nominee Bryce Pinkham and Lizan Mitchell will join Audra McDonald for the Broadway premiere of Ohio State Murders by Adrienne Kennedy.
| 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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