McNeal
1 hour and 40 minutes, no intermission
McNeal - 2024 Broadway History , Info & More
Vivian Beaumont Theatre (Broadway)
150 West 65th St. at Broadway New York, NY 10023
Good writers borrow, great writers steal. Jacob McNeal (Robert Downey Jr.) is a great writer, one of our greatest, a perpetual candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature. But McNeal also has an estranged son, a new novel, old axes to grind and an unhealthy fascination with Artificial Intelligence. Pulitzer Prize-winner Ayad Akhtar’s new play is a startling and wickedly smart examination of the inescapable humanity – and increasing inhumanity – of the stories we tell.
McNeal - 2024 - Broadway Cast
PREVIEW McNeal - 2024 - Broadway
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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR McNeal
McNeal: Robert Downey Jr. Brings Real Star Power to a Sometimes Artificial-Feeling Play
8 / 10
Star power is not to be underestimated. Not only can it bring in audiences who may not normally attend new Broadway plays, it can also infuse a problematic work with a gravitas it might not normally possess. Such is the case with Lincoln Center Theater’s production of the new drama by Ayad Akhtar (Disgraced, The Invisible Hand) that touches on such themes as artificial intelligence, plagiarism, and writerly inspiration without really coming to grips with any of them. But it doesn’t matter, thanks to the presence of Robert Downey Jr. in the title role. Downey, who recently won an Oscar for the film Oppenheimer and is here making his stage debut, brings such charisma and magnetism to McNeal that it’s easy to overlook the play’s flaws.
McNeal
4 / 10
Or does he? It’s hard to know. Nothing in McNeal is convincing: The characters are thin, the timelines are off, the situations are at once implausible and cliché. (When McNeal is negotiating his contract, he is shown a big number on a cell phone—barely a step up from a folded paper slid across a table.) The play’s middle scenes—McNeal’s lurid confrontation with his son (Rafi Gavron) and an off-the-rails interview with a young, Black New York Times reporter (Brittany Bellizeare)—ring utterly false, and the actors elsewhere seem flat: Andrea Martin as McNeal’s agent, Ruthie Ann Miles as his doctor, Melora Hardin as his former mistress. McNeal is the only one with any dimension, but neither his dialogue nor Downey's guarded, petulant delivery suggest the charm that others impute to him. Dressed in a writerly uniform of corduroy blazer and jeans, he’s a standard-issue manchild; the play feels a bit like spending 90 minutes with Bill Maher on a crabby day.
by Josh Sharpe - November 4, 2024
Melora Hardin is going up against Robert Downey, Jr.'s McNeal. In the new play, Hardin plays Francine Blake, the retired editor-in-chief of The New York Times and McNeal's former lover. Watch her discuss the production on Good Morning America!
by Nicole Rosky - October 28, 2024
What makes a great Broadway company? According to Robert Downey Jr., who made his debut earlier this season in McNeal, every person plays a huge role in the play's success. Watch in this exclusive video as he chats more about what makes the McNeal company so special.
by Sidney Paterra - October 3, 2024
Looking for all the latest info on one of Broadway's hottest shows starring Robert Downjey Jr? BroadwayWorld has the full scoop on everything that you need to know about McNeal on Broadway.
by Joey Mervis - October 2, 2024
In this video, watch as the whole cast checks in with BroadwayWorld after the curtain came down on opening night!
by Nicole Rosky - October 1, 2024
Last night, Ayad Akhtar’s new play McNEAL opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. Check out photos from inside the big night here!
by Bruce Glikas - October 1, 2024
The Lincoln Center Theater production of McNEAL, a new play by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Bartlett Sher opened last night at the Vivian Beaumont Theater! See photos of stars on the red carpet!
by A.A. Cristi - September 30, 2024
Read the reviews for McNeal on Broadway which stars academy Award-winner and Marvel icon, Robert Downey Jr., as an acclaimed author obsessed by AI as he makes his Broadway debut alongside Brittany Bellizeare, Rafi Gavron, Melora Hardin, Andrea Martin, Ruthie Ann Miles, and Saisha Talwar. See what the critics had to say about Lincoln Center Theater’s McNEAL, from Pulitzer Prize-winner Ayad Akhtar.
by Joey Mervis - October 5, 2024
In this video, watch as the cast of Broadway's McNeal unpacks their roles and find out even more about the new play here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - September 30, 2024
Get a first look at footage of Robert Downey Jr. and more in the play McNeal at Lincoln Center Theater. The cast features Melora Hardin, Andrea Martin, Ruthie Ann Miles, and more. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
by Nicole Rosky - September 25, 2024
Lincoln Center Theater’s McNEAL, a new play by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Bartlett Sher, is now in previews at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, where it is getting ready for opening night on Monday, September 30. Check out first photos of the cast in action!
by Stephi Wild - September 5, 2024
McNEAL begins is now running on Broadway at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, marking the first play of LCT’s historic 40th Anniversary season. Meet the cast of McNEAL here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - September 3, 2024
On Friday, August 23 the cast and creatives of Lincoln Center Theater’s McNEAL met the press before starting tech rehearsal for the play. See photos and learn more about the show!
by Joey Mervis - September 3, 2024
Broadway is no joke, but Robert Downey Jr., who makes his debut this season in Lincoln Center Theater's McNeal, is up for the challenge. Watch in this video as the entire company meets the press and explains more about what the play is all about.
by Nicole Rosky - September 14, 2024
Almost 20 years after making his Lincoln Center Theater (and Broadway) debut with The Light in the Piazza, Bartlett Sher is back this season alongside another heavy-hitter of the theatre world, Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Akhtar. The play is McNeal and previews are already underway at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre.
by Blair Ingenthron - August 10, 2024
On Thursday, August 1 the cast and creative team for McNEAL gathered for the first day of rehearsals. McNEAL is a new play by Ayad Aktar, directed by Bartlett Sher. See footage in the video here!
by A.A. Cristi - August 2, 2024
On Thursday, August 1 the cast and creative team for McNEAL gathered for the first day of rehearsals. McNEAL is a new play by Ayad Aktar, directed by Bartlett Sher. See photos from inside the rehearsal room.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - July 29, 2024
Lincoln Center Theater has revealed the complete cast for its production of McNEAL, a new play by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Bartlett Sher, and starring Robert Downey Jr. Learn how to purchase tickets.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 7, 2024
This fall, Lincoln Center Theater will produce MCNEAL, a new play by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Bartlett Sher, starring Robert Downey Jr. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
McNeal History
Other Productions of McNeal
| 2024 | Broadway |
Lincoln Center Theater Broadway Premiere Producion Broadway |
McNeal - 2024 Broadway Awards and Nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Projection and Video Design | Jake Barton |
| 2025 | Drama League Awards | DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE | Robert Downey, Jr. |
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