Roberts & Rudd Reunite on Broadway Stage

Julia Roberts is making her return to the Broadway stage early next year, starring in a production of Bess Wohl's play "Small Mouth Sounds." This critically acclaimed work, known for its stretches of silence and exploration of discomfort, will also feature Paul Rudd, reuniting him with Roberts after their 2006 appearance in "Three Days of Rain." The cast is further bolstered by Greta Lee, Martin Freeman, Sarah Paulson, and Isaac Powell.

Joe Mantello will direct "Small Mouth Sounds," and producer Scott Rudin, fresh off Tony Awards for "Death of a Salesman," is spearheading the production. Rudin and Mantello are also collaborating on a concurrent Broadway production of Bruce Norris's "Downstate," a 2018 tragicomedy set in a group home for sex offenders. Both playwrights have received critical acclaim and Pulitzer Prizes for their other works.

To navigate the commercial challenges of these unique plays, Rudin is implementing an innovative marketing approach. Tickets for "Downstate," set to begin previews on October 17, 2026, will offer buyers of the first 15 percent of seats the opportunity to purchase prime tickets for "Small Mouth Sounds" for $250. "Small Mouth Sounds" is slated to begin previews on February 18, 2027, opening on March 18, 2027, at the Ethel Barrymore Theater.

Rudin's return to producing is supported by a single investor, media mogul Barry Diller. "Downstate" originally premiered at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater Company, receiving praise for its compelling narrative. "Small Mouth Sounds" had its initial run at Off-Broadway's Ars Nova, where it was lauded as "enchanting" and a "model of ingenuity."