Julia Roberts and Paul Rudd are set to reunite on the Broadway stage this winter, headlining a star-studded cast in Bess Wohl’s experimental, nearly silent comedy Small Mouth Sounds.
The Bottom Line
The Talent: Julia Roberts, Paul Rudd, and Sarah Paulson anchor an ensemble that also includes Martin Freeman, Greta Lee, and Isaac Powell.
The Creative Team: Joe Mantello directs the production, with a creative roster featuring scenic designer Chloe Lamford and composer Caroline Shaw.
The Strategy: Producers Scott Rudin and Barry Diller are bundling ticket sales with another Mantello-Rudin collaboration, Downstate, offering an opt-in package for early buyers.
A Powerhouse Ensemble Returns to the Great White Way
The winter theatrical calendar just shifted significantly. Bess Wohl’s play, which previously debuted off-Broadway under the direction of Rachel Chavkin, is making its way to a major Broadway house with an enviable roster of screen and stage talent. Alongside Roberts and Rudd, the production features Sarah Paulson, Martin Freeman, Greta Lee, and Isaac Powell.
For Roberts and Rudd, the project marks a theatrical collaboration since they starred together in Richard Greenberg’s Three Days of Rain back in 2006. That production was also directed by Joe Mantello, who returns to helm this new iteration. Meanwhile, Paulson steps back onto Broadway following her celebrated run in the 2023 staging of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Appropriate.
Deconstructing the Opt-In Ticketing Strategy
Beyond the star power on stage, the production’s commercial rollout introduces a notable mechanical shift in how Broadway producers approach audience acquisition. Producers Scott Rudin and Barry Diller announced an unusual marketing maneuver alongside the casting news: Small Mouth Sounds will be paired with another Mantello-Rudin collaboration, a fall staging of the play Downstate.
Ticket buyers will have the option to purchase access to both plays via a single opt-in decision at a distinct price point tailored for early adopters.
| Production Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Playwright | Bess Wohl |
| Director | Joe Mantello |
| Producers | Scott Rudin and Barry Diller |
| Venue | Ethel Barrymore Theater |
| Previews Begin | February 18 |
| Opening Night | March 18 |
| Key Cast Members | Julia Roberts, Paul Rudd, Sarah Paulson, Martin Freeman, Greta Lee, Isaac Powell |
A Masterclass in Design and Movement
The production relies heavily on physical comedy and atmospheric precision. Small Mouth Sounds is described as experimental and a nearly silent comedy. To bring this world to life on a Broadway scale, the producers assembled a decorated creative team.
The crew includes Tony Award-winning scenic designer Chloe Lamford, two-time Tony Award-winning lighting designer Jack Knowles, Moliere Award-winning costume designer An D’Huys, and Olivier Award-winning sound designer Tom Gibbons. Music for the production is composed by Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw, with movement handled by JA Collective.
As the winter preview window approaches, the convergence of high-profile cinematic talent and adventurous downtown theater writing sets the stage for one of the season’s most closely watched theatrical runs.
