jtrent238 test blog: Theater Update: Robert Downey Jr. heads to Broadway

May 8, 2024

Dear Theater Fans,

Maleah Joi Moon was stage dooring just a few years ago. Now she's a Tony nominee for "Hell's Kitchen" — and theater fans want her autograph. The 21-year-old talked to Michael Paulson about the "surreal" experience of starring in Alicia Keys's Broadway musical: It's been "ridiculous and crazy and insane and all the things."

By the way: It was nice to see Moon (and some of her fellow Tony nominees) representing the theater world at this year's Met Gala.

Congratulations to Eboni Booth, whose "Primary Trust" won the Pulitzer Prize in Drama. The play, about a lonely, emotionally damaged man, resonated with audiences returning to the theater after the pandemic. In an interview on Monday, she told Michael that she wrote "Primary Trust" as a "way of trying to understand some of my sadness and some of my hope." (The finalists: "Here There Are Blueberries," onstage now at New York Theater Workshop, and "Public Obscenities.")

Other highlights from the last week:

● Little Island: Javier C. Hernández reported that the mogul Barry Diller is financing a summer season of music, dance and theater at the park he paid for. The programming will be shaped in part by Scott Rudin, the Broadway producer who retreated from public view in 2021 amid accusations of bullying.

● Robert Downey Jr.: The actor, who picked up an Oscar this year for "Oppenheimer," will make his Broadway debut this fall in Ayad Akhtar's new drama, "McNeal," at Lincoln Center Theater.

● "The Roommate": Patti LuPone and Mia Farrow will star in a Broadway production of Jen Silverman's play, which will begin performances Aug. 29 at the Booth Theater. "If this is the last thing that I do, then I'm lucky to be involved," Farrow said.

● Streaming: MCC Theater's annual MISCAST gala, where theater stars perform songs from roles for which they would not traditionally be cast, can be streamed as a digital broadcast through May 12. (Find out more here. And watch a performance here.)

Please reach out to me at theaterfeedback@nytimes.com with suggestions for stories or to offer your thoughts about the Tony nominations. And urge your friends to subscribe to this newsletter by clicking here.

Have a wonderful week,

Nicole Herrington

Theater Editor

A woman is seated behind a piano. She is wearing a black leather jacket.

Kholood Eid for The New York Times

For Her Broadway Debut, She Sings Alicia Keys's Story

Maleah Joi Moon almost gave up on theater. Now, in her first professional role, the "Hell's Kitchen" star is a Tony nominee.

By Michael Paulson

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NEWS AND FEATURES

Robert Downey Jr., with a goatee and wearing tinted, aviator glasses, stands in front of a red and yellow backdrop.

Chris Delmas/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Robert Downey Jr. to Make Broadway Debut in Ayad Akhtar Play

The Oscar-winning actor will star as an A.I.-curious author in "McNeal," starting performances in September at Lincoln Center Theater.

By Michael Paulson

A shut of Little Island at dusk, nestled into the Hudson River. There are lights in the complex, illuminating its landscaped trees.

Amr Alfiky/The New York Times

Coming Soon to Little Island: An Arts Festival With Powerful Backers

The mogul Barry Diller, who paid for the park, will finance a summer season of music, dance, theater and more, shaped in part by the Broadway producer Scott Rudin.

By Javier C. Hernández

Two images, side by side, show two different women. On the left, a woman in a hot pink dress is standing in front of a white step and repeat. The woman on the right is wearing a champagne-colored dress and holding a black clutch.

From left: Evan Agostini/Invision, via Associated Press, Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Patti LuPone and Mia Farrow to Star in 'The Roommate' on Broadway

The production is to begin performances Aug. 29 at the Booth Theater.

By Michael Paulson

A production image shows a man standing onstage, hands at his sides. Another man in the background is sitting at a table and reading a book.

Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

Eboni Booth on Winning the Drama Pulitzer for 'Primary Trust'

This play about a lonely, emotionally damaged man resonated with audiences returning to the theater after the pandemic.

By Michael Paulson

A black-and-white photo of Laura Linney against a blue and pink background.

Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

My Ten

Laura Linney on the Singer Who Reminds Her of Beginnings

"The sound of his voice reminds me of the beginnings of things," the actress said. "The first time you fell in love, the first time you went away."

By Kathryn Shattuck

Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

'Lempicka' to End Broadway Run a Month After Opening

The first show to fall in the wake of the Tony nominations on Tuesday, this musical about an art world individualist was years in the making.

By Michael Paulson

Kelli O'Hara, in a pale blue sweater and clutching a blue handbag to her chest, stands onstage, surrounded by dancers.

Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

Kelli O'Hara's Ties to Opera, From 'The Gilded Age' to the Met Stage

O'Hara is an unusual kind of triple threat: a star of Broadway and television who is appearing at the Metropolitan Opera in a revival of "The Hours."

By Alexis Soloski

BROADWAY GUIDE

Golden Cosmos

Broadway Shows to See This Spring

A guide to new productions, including "Stereophonic" and "Hell's Kitchen," and long-running hits like "Hadestown."

By Laura Collins-Hughes

FROM THE CRITICS

In a production image, two musicians are standing at microphones in a darkened space.

Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

'The Keep Going Songs' Review: Vexed by Grief and Worried About the Planet

Abigail and Shaun Bengson muse on death in their latest work, but its looseness makes it hard to get a handle on.

By Laura Collins-Hughes

In a production image, a woman is singing to three women who are all sitting on an elevated platform.

Russ Rowland

'The Miser' Review: Updating Molière, but Missing a Key Ingredient

This Molière in the Park production doesn't have the sharp satirical bite of the original.

By Elisabeth Vincentelli

Dancers facing the audience are lined across the stage; they have a leg lifted or are in the air.

Christopher Duggan

'Message in a Bottle' Review: Sending Out an S.O.S., Dancing to Sting

With choreography by Kate Prince and 27 songs by Sting, this story of refugees has impressive dance moments, but handles narrative and emotion tritely.

By Brian Seibert

A man wearing black pants and a black sweater stands next to a woman wearing black pants and a patterned shirt in front of a lake.

Mary Turner for The New York Times

Critic's Notebook

In the Bard's Hometown, a Challenge for New Theater Leaders

The Royal Shakespeare Company's co-artistic directors have put together a challenging debut season. But many visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon seeking something more traditional.

By Houman Barekat

Nina Hoss, wearing a patterned blouse, shakes her head as if dancing on a smoke-filled stage.

Johan Persson

'The Cherry Orchard' Review: Chekhov in the Fun Zone

Benedict Andrews's production in London offers perfectly pitched comedy where other directors find somber tragedy.

By Houman Barekat

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