Final Casting Announced for The York Theatre's Fall Musical, TRULY, HOWARD HUGHES
Chess' Sean MacLaughlin joins the cast as Howard Hughes
THE YORK THEATRE
PRESENTS
TRULY, HOWARD HUGHES
WINNER OF THE STANLEY DRAMA AWARD
Book by FRANK EVANS, JENNIFER PAULSON-LEE, JAMES SCULLY
Music by JAMES SCULLY
Lyrics by FRANK EVANS, CHAD GORN
Music Direction & Arrangements by SCOTT CADY
Orchestrations by DOUG BESTERMAN
Starring ANTONIO BEVERLY, BRENDA BRAXTON, ABBY CHURCH, HARRISON DRAKE, MATTHEW EBY, DAVID ELDER, ERIC MICHAEL GILLET, CANDICE HATAKEYAMA, BRYAN HUNT, JAMES JUDY, SEAN MACLAUGHLIN, JILL PAICE, MADISON CLAIRE PARKS, KELLY SHEEHAN, MELVIN TUNSTALL, DANA WINKLE
Directed and Choreographed by JENNIFER PAULSON-LEE
LIMITED OFF-BROADWAY ENGAGEMENT
SEPTEMBER 9 - OCTOBER 4, 2026 AT THEATRE AT ST. JEAN’S
OPENING NIGHT IS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, AT 7:00 PM
TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT YORKTHEATRE.ORG
New York, NY (August 6, 2026) – The York Theatre (Joseph Hayward, Producing Artistic Director, Wendy Hall, Managing Director) is pleased to announce the full cast for TRULY, HOWARD HUGHES featuring a score by James Scully, with book by Frank Evans, Jennifer Paulson-Lee, and James Scully, lyrics by Frank Evans and Chad Gorn, musical direction and arrangements by Scott Cady, and orchestrations by Doug Besterman. The production will be directed and choreographed by Jennifer Paulson-Lee. The show will play a limited engagement at Off-Broadway’s The York Theatre, located at Theatre at St. Jean’s (150 East 76th Street, New York City). Performances begin Thursday, September 9, and continue through Sunday, October 4. Opening Night is Thursday, September 17 (7 p.m.). Tickets are $29-$85 and available at https://www.yorktheatre.org/truly-howard-hughes
TRULY, HOWARD HUGHES is an unconventional love story following one of the 20th century's most fascinating figures: aviator, filmmaker, businessman, and recluse, Howard Robard Hughes, Jr. The story unfolds as Hughes revisits his extraordinary life during his final moments, confronting the one thing his power and fortune could never secure, and leaves us with a haunting question: ...Would you, if you could?
Featuring a hummable, anthemic score rooted in golden-age Broadway tradition, innovative staging, and powerful performances, Truly, Howard Hughes is essential viewing for theatre lovers who cherish complex characters and compelling storytelling.
The production stars the previously announced Broadway favorites Brenda Braxton (Chicago, Dream Girls, Cats) as Rita Randolph, Matthew Eby (Off-Bway: House of McQueen) as Boy Howard, David Elder (Broadway: 42nd Street, Kiss me, Kate, Titanic) as Noah Dietrich, Eric Michael Gillet (Kiss Me, Kate, Sweet Smell of Success) as Howard Hughes, Sr., and Jill Paice (An American in Paris, Matilda, The 39 Steps) as Allene Hughes. Joining the cast as Howard Hughes is Sean MacLaughlin (Chess, Phantom of the Opera), plus Madison Claire Parks (The Fantasticks, Nat’l Tour: Wicked) as Ella Botts Rice, Abby Church (How to Succeed in Business, White Christmas) as Katharine Hepburn, Melvin Tunstall (Beautiful: The Carol King Musical) as Glenn, Dana Winkle (Nat’l Tour: 42nd Street, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular) as Aunt Annette, Candice Hatakeyama (Papermill Playhouse: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast) as Nadine Henley, Antonio Beverly (Nat’l Tour: A Bronx Tale) as Charles, James Judy (Into the Woods, The Phantom of the Opera) as Uncle Rupert and the ensemble includes Bryan Hunt (Nat’l Tour: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas), Harrison Drake (Nat’l Tour: Anastasia), and Kelly Sheehan (42nd Street, White Christmas, Shuffle Along).
The production features scenic design by Anne Mundell, costume design by Vanessa Leuck, and lighting design by Anthony Pearson. Peter Brucker is the sound designer, Adam J. Thompson is the projection designer, Thomas Jenkeleit is the props designer, and J.J. Janas is the wig/hair/makeup designer. David Callahan is the production manager, Billy Cowles is the company manager, and Jeff Davolt is the production stage manager. Dramaturgy by Megan Smith, publicity by Katie Rosin/Kampfire PR, and casting by Jason Styres/The Casting Collaborative.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
September 9 – October 4, 2026 | The Theater at St. Jean's
Tuesdays–Fridays at 7:30 p.m. | Saturdays at 2:30 & 7:30 p.m. | Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Opening Night: Thursday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m.
TICKETS: $35–$85
At The York Theatre, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience live theatre. Our new (Structured) Pay-What-You-Can First Preview offers a range of ticket prices, allowing you to choose the option that best fits your budget. Every ticket provides the same great seat and the same unforgettable performance—because access to the arts should be for everyone. Tickets will start at $5 and go up to $65 (for someone to pay it forward by paying $15 above what our tickets cost).
yorktheatre.org | 862-235-0938
Running Time: 120 minutes including intermission
Website: https://www.yorktheatre.org/truly-howard-hughes
THE YORK THEATRE, “Where Musicals Come to Life,” is the only theatre in New York City—and one of very few in the world—dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals and preserving notable shows from the past. For over five decades, York’s intimate, imaginative approach to producing both original and classic musicals has earned critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike. Since 1997, The York has focused on new musicals in its Mainstage Series—most of them world, American, or New York premieres—by some of the field’s most esteemed creators and has also helped launch the careers of many talented new writers. Over 47 cast recordings from York Theatre productions are now available, including its acclaimed revival of CLOSER THAN EVER (2013 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Revival). Commercial transfers of such York premieres as THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (THE MUSICAL!), SOUVENIR (Tony Award Nomination for actress Judy Kaye), and JOLSON & COMPANY, and revivals of PACIFIC OVERTURES and SWEENEY TODD (four Tony Nominations including Best Revival) have all showcased the importance of The York and its programs.
The York is the recipient of an Emmy Nomination, a special Drama Desk Award for “Developing and Producing New Musicals,” and a special Outer Critics Circle Award for “50 Years of Producing New and Classic Musicals.” Most recently, Stephanie Jae Park received a Lortel Nomination for her performance in The York’s Monte Cristo. The York is currently producing at The Theatre at St. Jean’s at 76th Street and Lexington Avenue.
www.yorktheatre.org | www.facebook.com/yorktheatrecompany
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