Stars turn out in force for Robert Downey Jr.'s Broadway debut

Robert Downey Jr. played Jacob McNeil in his first Broadway production, which was a fall theater event last night at Lincoln Center Theater. McNeilA new play by Pulitzer-winning playwright Ayad Akhtar.

There were as many stars in the audience as there were stars on stage as Hollywood turned out to support Downey Jr., who plays an alcoholic writer whose own demons in alcoholism are well described. The actor has been quiet since 2003 and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor this year for his portrayal of Louise Strauss. Oppenheimer.

Celebrating his Broadway debut were many of the actor's friends who made the trip from Los Angeles.

Paul Rudd and his partner Jason Bateman said, “He was fantastic Smartless The podcast stars Will Arnett and Sean Hayes.

Justin Theroux, who wrote Tropic Thunder—for which Downey received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Kirk Lazarus—was in the audience to support him, as were director Steven Spielberg, Kate Capshaw, Matt Damon, Oscar Isaac and Blythe Danner, among others.

Bradley Cooper appeared twice and Jeremy Strong, Jessica Chastain, Sting and Trudy Styler, Dustin Hoffman and Bette Midler were also seen in previews.

“It's a stunning piece of writing,” Downey Jr. said of the play, which follows the meltdown of a writer who just won the Nobel Prize for Literature. “It's a wonderful time, full of healing and joy.”

Broadway veteran and star Office, transparent And Bold typeMelora Hardin, who plays opposite him, said: “He's a great actor and a great person and he knows how to play and how you find some deeper things beyond the text.

“He's kind and warm and he's done a lot of work on himself and you can tell. He's not spouting a ton of bullshit. He has faced the darkness and he is very disciplined about maintaining a healthy life.”

Downey Jr.'s limited run continues through the end of November,