theguardian.com
Broadway's Star-Driven Play Revival: Art Finds Success with Celebrity Cast
Yasmina Reza's "Art," starring Neil Patrick Harris, Bobby Cannavale, and James Corden, is a profitable Broadway revival showcasing a formula of familiar plays with well-known actors, highlighting the impact of celebrity on audience interaction and the play's exploration of male friendships.
- What is the primary financial and artistic impact of using famous film and TV actors in Broadway plays?
- The strategy of casting well-known actors in familiar plays has led to six profitable Broadway plays in 2025, contrasting with the financial struggles of most musicals. This approach influences audience expectations and interaction with the material, creating a unique dynamic between celebrity and artistic merit.
- How does "Art" utilize the celebrity factor while exploring the themes of male friendship and communication?
- Art" uses the established personas of Harris, Cannavale, and Corden to explore the complexities of male communication, particularly their indirect and often emotionally stunted interactions. The play highlights how their celebrity status impacts audience reception, shaping the way the themes of communication and friendship are perceived and interpreted.
- What are the long-term implications of this trend for Broadway, considering both artistic and commercial aspects?
- The success of star-driven revivals suggests a potential shift towards a more commercially driven approach on Broadway, potentially affecting the balance between artistic risk and profitability. This approach may attract wider audiences, but could also lead to a prioritization of commercially appealing productions over more experimental or less well-known works.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The review focuses on the casting choices and the celebrity factor influencing the audience's interaction with the play, framing the production within the context of a broader trend on Broadway. This is evident in the opening paragraph which sets the stage by highlighting the commercial success of plays with famous actors. While acknowledging the historical reliance on star power on Broadway, the framing subtly suggests a shift, potentially implying criticism of the current trend. The emphasis on celebrity overshadows a deeper exploration of the play's artistic merit, though this is somewhat mitigated by the detailed analysis of the performances and the script.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral, though some descriptive words could be interpreted as subtly biased. For example, describing Marc's reaction to the painting as "offensive folly" carries a negative connotation. Similarly, describing Corden's performance as "stage image rehab post-Carpool Karaoke and...Balthazar ban" introduces external context that might influence the reader's perception. The phrase 'devolution' to describe the friendship is also potentially loaded, suggesting a decline rather than a natural evolution. Neutral alternatives could include 'change' or 'transformation'.
Bias by Omission
The review omits discussion of the play's plot details beyond the central conflict around the painting. While focusing on performances is a valid approach, omitting deeper plot analysis could limit the audience's understanding of the play's themes and narrative structure. The review also doesn't discuss the play's critical reception beyond its own analysis, and only considers the play from the perspective of the audience within the Music Box Theatre. While this doesn't necessarily indicate bias, it would benefit from further context.
False Dichotomy
The review presents a false dichotomy by implying that the audience's interaction with the play is solely determined by the celebrity actors. While the celebrity factor plays a role, the review doesn't fully consider other aspects that could affect audience perception, such as the play's themes, quality of writing, and overall direction. The review also presents a simplified view of the male characters' behavior as either polite adversarial aesthetes or 'passive aggression and avoidance'. There are nuances that are not fully explored.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article discusses a Broadway trend of using famous film and TV actors, which could indirectly contribute to reduced inequality by providing more diverse opportunities for actors and potentially increasing accessibility to the arts for a wider audience. However, the high ticket prices mentioned could also exacerbate existing inequalities in access to cultural events.