Tom Hanks Makes Stunning Off-Broadway Debut in Self-Written Play

Academy Award winner Tom Hanks is commanding the stage, not just the screen. Hanks is co-writer and star of the new off-Broadway production “This World of Tomorrow.” The play began previews in late 2025 and runs through December 21 at The Shed in New York City. This marks a significant career pivot for the beloved actor.

The play is a major theatrical event. It is adapted from Hanks’s own short story collection, “Uncommon Type.” According to Reuters, the collaboration with playwright James Glossman took nearly five years to develop.

A Five-Year Creative Partnership Forged on Typewriters

The project began in early 2021. Playwright and director James Glossman received a surprising call from Hanks himself. Hanks praised Glossman’s early adaptation of one of his stories. This call sparked a deep creative partnership.

Their writing process was uniquely hybrid. They used both vintage typewriters and modern video calls. Glossman described the collaboration as the best writing experience of his life. The team worked through the pandemic, refining the script.

The story centers on time travel and connection. Hanks plays Bert, an inventor from 2089. He travels back to the 1939 World’s Fair to meet a woman, played by Kelli O’Hara. Their encounters explore themes of nostalgia and progress.

Blending Analog Nostalgia with Digital Age Storytelling

The play’s themes mirror Hanks’s personal passions. His well-known collection of vintage typewriters inspired the source material. “This World of Tomorrow” questions technological advancement while celebrating human moments. It mixes humor with a poignant look at memory.

Hanks admitted the dual role was terrifying. Performing his own words live presented a new challenge. Preview audiences have responded with strong positive reactions. The play balances sci-fi concepts with heartfelt emotion.

This stage work coincides with other Hanks news. His “Forrest Gump” co-star Robin Wright recently shared insights. She noted they didn’t bond during the original film shoot. They later reconnected as adults for their new film “Here.”

Tom Hanks’s off-Broadway play represents a bold new chapter for the actor, proving his storytelling prowess extends far beyond Hollywood and into the intimate, immediate world of live theater.

Thought you’d like to know

How long is Tom Hanks’s play running?

“This World of Tomorrow” is scheduled to run through December 21, 2025. Performances are held at The Shed’s Griffin Theater in New York City.

What is the play “This World of Tomorrow” about?

The play is a time-travel story. An inventor from 2089 repeatedly visits the 1939 World’s Fair to meet a bookkeeper. It explores love, nostalgia, and the cost of progress.

Did Tom Hanks write the play himself?

He co-wrote it with playwright James Glossman. The story is adapted from Hanks’s own short story collection titled “Uncommon Type.” Their collaboration lasted nearly five years.

Is this Tom Hanks’s first stage performance?

While widely known for film, this is a rare and significant stage venture for Hanks. It marks his major off-Broadway debut as both a writer and lead performer.

Who else is in the cast with Tom Hanks?

Tony Award-winning actress Kelli O’Hara stars opposite Hanks. She plays Carmen, the character his inventor travels through time to meet.