Oscar winner Tom Hanks returns to Broadway in a show he co-wrote. This world of tomorrowco-written by Hanks and James Glossman, will play on Broadway in fall 2027 at a Shubert-owned theater to be announced.
This world of tomorrow had already had its world premiere in 2025 at the Shed Off-Broadway (read reviews here). Hanks starred alongside Tony winner Kelli O’Hara (Fallen angels), which will reprise its Off-Broadway performance for Broadway.
This marks Hanks’ return to Broadway in over 14 years; he was previously Tony nominated for Lucky guywritten by her longtime friend Nora Ephron.
This world of tomorrow is based on a short story written by Hanks for his 2017 book Uncommon type. Hanks will play a scientist, Bert Allenberry, living in the late 21st century, where time travel is possible. He returned on June 8, 1939 to the New York World’s Fair and met a woman named Carmen (played by O’Hara), with whom he fell in love.
As Hanks told Playbill during the show’s broadcast last year, when asked about the themes: “If they hadn’t gone to the ’39 World’s Fair, they wouldn’t have met the great love of their lives. And I’ll tell you right now, even if you have moments like that in your life. It’s the study of history. And I’ve always been fascinated by this strange aspect of human behavior which says: things only happen when you’re in the right place at the right time, and you don’t know if you’re in the right place or the right time to be there – the story sort of decides that for you. And I think that’s fascinating.
Tony winner Kenny Leon (Purlie Victorious) also comes back to directing. “I’m so excited to continue this work on this incredible new American play,” Leon said in a statement. “There’s no time like the present to further explore this Glossman and Hanks story of love and time travel. More than anything, I look forward to even more audiences having the chance to witness the onstage chemistry of Kelli O’Hara and Tom Hanks.”
Full casting and creative team details will be announced at a later date. This world of tomorrow is produced by Brian Anthony Moreland. 101 Productions, Ltd. will act as general manager.
Visit Thisworldoftomorrowbway.com.
Gn entert
