John Henry

About the show

John Henry was a 1940 original Broadway musical based on the 1931 novel John Henry by Roark Bradford. The libretto was written by Bradford with music composed by Jacques Wolfe. Paul Robeson starred in the title role with Ruby Elzy as Julie Anne. Other prominent members of the cast included Joseph Attles, Maude Simmons, Josh White, Musa Williams, and Bayard Rustin. The show played at the 44th Street Theatre in New York City from January 10, 1940, to January 15, 1940.