Rehearsals are officially underway for Lincoln Center Theater's upcoming world premiere of Ayad Akhtar's McNeal. Previews begin September 5 ahead of a September 30 opening night at the Vivian Beaumont Theater on Broadway.
As previously reported, film star Robert Downey, Jr. will make his Broadway debut in the production. Joining him in the cast will be Brittany Bellizeare, Rafi Gavron, Melora Hardin, Andrea Martin, Ruthie Ann Miles, and Saisha Talwar.
See the cast and creatives at the production's first rehearsal in the gallery below.
André Bishop and Ayad Akhtar
Andrea Martin and Ayad Akhtar
Director Bartlett Sher and the cast of McNeal
Bartlett Sher
Melora Hardin and Brittany Bellizeare
Rafi Gavron
Bartlett Sher and Ayad Akhtar
Saisha Talwar and Rafi Gavron
André Bishop
Ruthie Ann Miles and Bartlett Sher
Also joining Downey, Jr., according to press notes, will be a "highly realistic Metahuman Digital Likeness" of Downey, Jr., developed by AGBO. Plot details are scarce, though we know the work will center on a celebrated writer who is obsessed with artificial intelligence.
Bartlett Sher is directing, leading a creative team that includes scenic designers Michael Yeargan and Jake Barton, costume designer Jennifer Moeller, lighting designer Donald Holder, sound designers Justin Ellington and Beth Lake, and projection designer Jake Barton. Jennifer Rae Moore will be stage manager.
Lincoln Center Theater is producing McNeal in association with Team Downey.
Tickets are available at LCT.org.
