Chess‘ Sean MacLaughlin will star in the title role of the world premiere of Truly, Howard Hughes—about the
late aviator, filmmaker, businessman, and recluse—which will be presented
September 9–October 4, part of The York Theatre’s 2026-2027 season Off-Broadway at The Theater at St. Jean’s.
Directed and choreographed by Jennifer
Paulson-Lee, the new musical features a book by Frank Evans,
Paulson-Lee, and James Scully; lyrics by Evans and Chad Gorn; and music
by Scully.
Also newly announced for the production Madison Claire Parks (Wicked) as Ella Botts Rice, Abby Church (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying) as Katharine Hepburn, Melvin Tunstall (Beautiful: The Carol King Musical) as Glenn, Dana Winkle (42nd Street national tour) as Aunt Annette, Candice Hatakeyama as Nadine Henley, Antonio Beverly (A Bronx Tale national tour) as Charles, and James Judy (Into the Woods) as Uncle Rupert with ensemble members Bryan Hunt (Irving Berlin’s White Christmas national tour), Harrison Drake (Anastasia national tour), and Kelly Sheehan (42nd Street).
These artists join the previously reported Brenda Braxton (Chicago) as Rita Randolph, Matthew Eby (House of McQueen) as Boy Howard, David Elder (42nd Street) as Noah Dietrich, Eric Michael Gillet (Kiss Me, Kate) as Howard Hughes Sr., and Jill Paice (An American in Paris) as Allene Hughes. Casting is by Jason Styres of The Casting Collaborative.
Truly unfolds as Hughes
revisits his life during his final moments, confronting
the one thing his power and fortune could never secure.
The upcoming production will also have musical direction and arrangements by Scott Cady, orchestrations by Doug Besterman, scenic design by Anne Mundell, costume design by Vanessa Leuck, lighting design by Anthony Pearson, sound design by Peter Brucker, projection design by Adam J. Thompson, props design by Thomas Jenkeleit, and wig, hair, and makeup design by J.J. Janas.
David Callahan is the production manager, Billy Cowles is the company manager, and Jeff Davolt is the production stage manager. Dramaturgy is by Megan Smith.
For ticket information visit YorkTheatre.org.