The Balusters
| The Balusters | |
|---|---|
 Original Broadway cast, writer, and director | |
| Original language | English |
| Written by | David Lindsay-Abaire |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Premiere | |
| Date | 2026 |
| Place | New York City |
The Balusters is a comedy play written by David Lindsay-Abaire and originally produced at Manhattan Theatre Club.[1] It opened on Broadway in March 2026 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, and closed in June 2026.[2] It received 5 Tony Award nominations, including Best Play.
Plot synopsis
[edit]When a newcomer to the Vernon Point Neighborhood Association suggests installing a stop sign on a picturesque block, chaos ensues.[3]
Production history
[edit]The Balusters was commissioned by Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) through the Bank of America New Play Program and is a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award.[4] It was written by American playwright David Lindsay-Abaire.[5][6] Lindsay-Abaire has a long history of collaboration with MTC going back to 1999, writing and producing plays such as Rabbit Hole, Ripcord, Fuddy Meers, Kimberly Akimbo, and Wonder of the World.[4][1]
Preview performances of The Balusters began at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on March 31, 2026, with an official opening night on April 21.[7] It is directed by Kenny Leon.[4] The run was extended an additional two weeks, through June 21, 2026.[8]
The set was designed by Derek McLane, costumes were designed by Emilio Sosa, and the sound designer was Dan Moses Schreier.[9] Allen Lee Hughes was the lighting designer, and J. Jared Janas designed the hair, wigs, and makeup.[10]
Critical reception
[edit]The Balusters was a NYT Critic's Pick.[9] It earned five Tony nominations: Best Play, Best Costume Design of a Play (Emilio Sosa), Best Direction of a Play (Kenny Leon), Best Featured Actress (Marylouise Burke), and Best Featured Actor (Richard Thomas).[11]
Cast and characters
[edit]| Character | Broadway[7][12] |
|---|---|
| 2026 | |
| Penny Bewell | Marylouise Burke |
| Brooks Duncan | Carl Clemons-Hopkins |
| Ruth Ackerman | Margaret Colin |
| Kyra Marshall | Anika Noni Rose |
| Eliott Emerson | Richard Thomas |
| Willow Gibbons | Kayli Carter |
| Isaac Rosario | Ricardo Chavira |
| Alan Kirby | Michael Esper |
| Luz Baccay | Maria-Christina Oliveras |
| Melissa Han | Jeena Yi |
Awards and nominations
[edit]2026 Broadway production
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 "The Balusters - Edgerton Foundation New Play Awards". TCG Circle. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ↑ Paterra, Sidney (2026-06-21). "3 Broadway Shows Close Today". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2026-06-22.
- ↑ Kravitz, Jamie (2025-12-12). "'The Balusters,' starring Renée Elise Goldsberry and Marylouise Burke, announces complete casting & dates". Broadway News. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
- 1 2 3 "The Balusters". Manhattan Theatre Club. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ↑ Huston, Caitlin (2025-05-14). "David Lindsay-Abaire Brings New Play 'The Balusters' to Broadway in 2026". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
- ↑ "David Lindsay-Abaire". Music Theatre International. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
- 1 2 Culwell-Block, Logan (12 December 2025). "David Lindsay-Abaire's The Balusters Completes Broadway Cast". Playbill. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
- ↑ Evans, Greg (2026-05-13). "Tony-Nominated 'The Balusters' Extends Broadway Run". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- 1 2 Shaw, Helen (2026-04-22). "Review: In 'The Balusters,' Neighborly Dysfunction Is on the Agenda". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ "The Balusters". Playbill. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ Hall, Margaret (2026-05-28). "David Lindsay-Abaire's The Balusters Proves 'Nostalgia Is Toxic'". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2026-05-29. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ "David Lindsay-Abaire's The Balusters Finds Its Broadway Cast". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2025-10-07. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ↑ Gans, Andrew (April 20, 2026). "2026 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List". Playbill. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
- ↑ Hipes, Patrick (April 20, 2026). "Daniel Radcliffe, Luke Evans Among Drama League Award Nominees". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
- ↑ Fierberg, Ruthie (2026-05-11). "Announcing the 2026 Outer Critics Circle winners: Full list". Broadway News. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
- ↑ "2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced: Full List". Broadway.com. 2026-04-29. Retrieved 2026-05-02.
- ↑ Lam, Katherine (2026-05-05). "2026 Tony Awards nominations are announced. See the full list". CBS News. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
- ↑ Abourizk, Michael (May 13, 2026). "Dorian Theater Awards announces 2026 nominees". Broadway News. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
- ↑ Mandell, Jonathan (May 13, 2026). "2026 Dorian Theater Award Nominations: Schmigadoon, Lost Boys lead". New York Theater. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
- ↑ Mandell, Jonathan (June 1, 2026). "2026 Dorian Theater Award winners: Schmigadoon. Prince Faggot. Ragtime: Joshua. Junior. Quincy. Qween". New York Theater. Retrieved June 1, 2026.