Gayle King has rocketed to outer space, anchored one of morning television’s most watched programs for years, and graced the cover of countless magazines and yet, somehow, Broadway is the thing she seems least worried about.
The CBS Mornings co-anchor, 71, is set to make her Broadway debut in Celebrity Autobiography, a long running comedy production that is making its first ever appearance on the Great White Way later this month. The show opens at the iconic Shubert Theatre in New York City, and King, by her own account, is doing virtually nothing to prepare.
Speaking with PEOPLE at The Hollywood Reporter’s Most Powerful People in New York Media event, held on May 7 at Daniel restaurant in New York City, King made it clear she is approaching her stage debut the same way she approaches most big opportunities with calm confidence and a willingness to simply show up.
She explained that she plans to follow instructions, trust the process and leave the heavy lifting to the production team. There is no intensive rehearsal regimen, no vocal coaching and no late night cramming sessions. For King, it really is that simple.
How the opportunity came about
As it turns out, King’s Broadway debut happened much the same way her seat on the all female Blue Origin rocket did last April someone asked, and she said yes.
She told PEOPLE she felt comfortable accepting the role because the format of the show plays directly to one of her strongest suits: the ability to read well and communicate with ease. For a woman who has spent decades conducting high stakes interviews and delivering live news, standing on a Broadway stage with a script in hand is, apparently, not a stretch.
What Celebrity Autobiography is all about
Created by Eugene Pack and co-created by Dayle Reyfel, Celebrity Autobiography is a comedy show built around the dramatic reading of famous memoirs. Stars take the stage to perform excerpts from well known autobiographies, leaning into the unintentionally hilarious, overly candid and sometimes absurd moments that fill those pages.
The production blends solo readings with ensemble scenes, where multiple autobiographies are woven together into one comedic sequence complete with love triangles, conflicting recollections and wildly mismatched perspectives on the same events. The result is a 90 minute, intermission free show that has earned a devoted following over the years.
Celebrity Autobiography originated in New York and has since played venues including the Triad Theatre, Los Angeles Groundlings, London’s West End and the Sydney Opera House. It previously earned a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience.
A star packed opening night cast
King will take the stage as part of an all star opening night lineup when the production begins previews on May 16, with an official opening night set for May 18. The Broadway engagement is scheduled to run through Aug. 16 and marks the first Broadway show of the 2026–2027 season.
Joining King on opening night are: 1) Scott Adsit, 2) Mario Cantone, 3) Jeff Hiller, 4) Jackie Hoffman, 5) Andrea Martin, 6) Ben Mankiewicz, 7) Bobby Moynihan, 8) Kenan Thompson and 9) Nia Vardalos. Rita Wilson, who also serves as a co-producer on the production, will appear as well, along with Pack and Reyfel.
A rotating cast that keeps growing
One of the most exciting elements of Celebrity Autobiography’s Broadway run is its ever changing roster of performers. Throughout the engagement, audiences can expect appearances from names including Brooke Adams, Pamela Adlon, Lewis Black, Christie Brinkley, Danny Burstein, Bob Costas, Tate Donovan, Chloe Fineman, Will Forte, Gina Gershon, Kathy Griffin, Christopher Jackson, Ken Jeong, Susan Lucci, Ralph Macchio, Eric McCormack, Laraine Newman, Cheri Oteri, Billy Porter, Tony Shalhoub, Sherri Shepherd, Molly Shannon, Jennifer Tilly and many more. Additional cast members are expected to be announced in the weeks ahead.
Wilson, who has long been a champion of the production, has previously described it as one of the funniest shows she has ever seen. Producer Douglas Denoff has spoken about why the Broadway moment feels particularly well timed, calling the production’s comedic spirit something audiences need right now.
Tickets for Celebrity Autobiography are currently on sale. For King, the stage is set and she could not be more at ease about it.
EXCLUSIVE : PEOPLE
