Tony Award winner Joshua Henry (Ragtime, Hamilton, The Scottsboro Boys) and Julia Harriman (National Tour: Hamilton; Concept Album: Warriors) have conceived, co-written, and will star in The Conversation, a new original musical. The production, with music and lyrics by Henry and Harriman, book by Dora Award winner Nick Green (Casey and Diana, Body Politic), and directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun, Topdog/Underdog, The Balusters), will begin previews on November 17, 2026 in advance of a Monday, December 7 opening night for a limited 10-week engagement at the intimate Astor Place Theatre.
“Julia and I started writing songs together on the First National Tour of Hamilton,” Henry commented. “We quickly realized that we shared a love for Pop, Soul, and R&B, and we knew we had to write something together with these musical influences. Over time, we realized we were building something that meant a great deal to both of us. The Conversation pulls from a deep desire to explore the beauty and messiness of navigating long-term relationships, and Julia and I can't wait to share this ride with our audience.”
“What I love most about this project is how organically it came together,” Harriman said. “When it comes to our writing styles and voices, we found early on that our instincts and musicality are very similar. Creating this show and writing this music with Joshua has been extremely rewarding. The Conversation shows the good days, the hurt feelings, and the flaws within ourselves, all while figuring out how to share a life with someone else. It deals with universal relationship experiences and makes them deeply personal.”
The Conversation follows Marcus (Joshua Henry) and Elle (Julia Harriman) from the electric spark of their first date to move-ins, milestones, and the slow accumulation of everything left unsaid. The Conversation is an unflinching portrait of what it truly means to open your heart to another person. With a score that weaves Soul, R&B, and Modern Pop into bold musical theater storytelling that is intimate, honest, and emotionally gripping, The Conversation asks what it takes to choose love, even when it hurts, and what it takes to stay.
Joshua Henry is known for his powerful vocals, commanding presence, and emotionally rich performances on Broadway, most recently his Tony Award-winning role as Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Lincoln Center Theater’s production of Ragtime. He has earned acclaim for his performances in Carousel (Tony nomination), Into the Woods, Violet (Tony nomination), The Scottsboro Boys (Tony nomination) and Hamilton, establishing him as one of the theater industry's most versatile talents.
Julia Harriman is best known for portraying Eliza Hamilton in the First National Tour of Hamilton. She can be heard voicing the role of Ami in the Netflix animated film Ultraman: Rising, as well as the role of Mercy on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s and Eisa Davis’ concept album, Warriors. Julia was a co-writer and featured artist on the Netflix series, The Eddy, and a vocal consultant to Anna Kendrick for Pitch Perfect 3. She is represented by CESD, Authentic Talent and Literary Management and Schreck Rose.
Nick Green’s play Casey and Diana, which premiered at the Stratford Festival of Canada in 2023, has become one of the most-produced plays in the country, with productions in 13 cities across Canada and the United States. His extensive body of work also includes Dinner with the Duchess, In Real Life, Every Day She Rose, Dr. Silver, and Body Politic, which won Canada’s Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding New Play.
Kenny Leon has helmed numerous notable Broadway productions, including The Balusters, A Raisin in the Sun, Fences, The Mountaintop, Stick Fly, American Son, Purlie Victorious, and revivals of Our Town and A Soldier’s Play. He won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play for A Raisin in the Sun and has earned additional Tony nominations for The Balusters, Our Town, Purlie Victorious, A Soldier’s Play, and Fences. The Conversation is produced by Mandy Hackett and Jenny Steingart. General Management is by Baseline Theatrical. Creative Marketing and Social is by Super Awesome Friends. Advertising is by Situation.
Tickets will go on sale later this summer. Please click HERE to sign up for updates and priority access.
Image courtesy of "The Conversation"
