The Balusters is a comedy play written by David Lindsay-Abaire and originally produced at Manhattan Theatre Club.[1]

The Balusters
Original Broadway cast, writer, and director
Written byDavid Lindsay-Abaire
Date premiered2026
Place premieredNew York City
Original languageEnglish
GenreComedy

Plot synopsis

edit

When a newcomer to the Vernon Point Neighborhood Association suggests installing a stop sign on a picturesque block, chaos ensues.[2]

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.[3] It was written by American playwright David Lindsay-Abaire.[4][5] 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.[3][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.[6] It will be directed by Kenny Leon.[3] As of December 2025, no closing date has been set.[7]

Cast and characters

edit
Character Broadway[6][8]
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
Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2026 Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a Play Nominated [9][10]
Distinguished Performance Marylouise Burke Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding New Broadway Play Won [11]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Play Won [12]
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play Anika Noni Rose Nominated
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play Maria-Christina Oliveras Nominated
Richard Thomas Nominated
Outstanding Direction of a Play Kenny Leon Nominated
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play Derek McLane Nominated
Outstanding Costume Design of a Play Emilio Sosa Nominated
Outstanding Fight Choreography Thomas Schall Nominated
Tony Award Best Play Pending [13]
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play Marylouise Burke Pending
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play Richard Thomas Pending
Best Direction of a Play Kenny Leon Pending
Best Costume Design of a Play Emilio Sosa Pending

References

edit
  1. 1 2 "The Balusters - Edgerton Foundation New Play Awards". TCG Circle. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  2. Kravitz, Jamie (2025-12-12). "'The Balusters,' starring Renée Elise Goldsberry and Marylouise Burke, announces complete casting & dates". Broadway News. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  3. 1 2 3 "The Balusters". Manhattan Theatre Club. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  4. Huston, Caitlin (2025-05-14). "David Lindsay-Abaire Brings New Play 'The Balusters' to Broadway in 2026". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  5. "David Lindsay-Abaire". Music Theatre International. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  6. 1 2 Culwell-Block, Logan (12 December 2025). "David Lindsay-Abaire's The Balusters Completes Broadway Cast". Playbill. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  7. "The Balusters". Playbill. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  8. "David Lindsay-Abaire's The Balusters Finds Its Broadway Cast". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2025-10-07. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  9. Gans, Andrew (April 20, 2026). "2026 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List". Playbill. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  10. Hipes, Patrick (April 20, 2026). "Daniel Radcliffe, Luke Evans Among Drama League Award Nominees". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  11. "Announcing the 2026 Outer Critics Circle winners: Full list". Broadway News. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  12. "2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced: Full List". Broadway.com. April 29, 2026. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  13. Lam, Katherine (2026-05-05). "2026 Tony Awards nominations are announced. See the full list". CBS News. Retrieved 2026-05-05.