A.I. has come to Broadway with McNeal, a new play from Pulitzer winner Ayad Akhtar beginning previews at Lincoln Center Theater's Vivian Beaumont September 5. Film star Robert Downey, Jr. leads the cast in his Broadway debut, with Tony winner Bartlett Sher at the helm. Opening night will be September 30, with performances currently scheduled to continue through November 24.
The cast also includes Ruthie Ann Miles as Sahra Grewal, Andrea Martin as Stephie Banic, Saisha Talwar as Dipti, Rafi Gavron as Harlan McNeal, Brittany Bellizeare as Natasha Brathwaite, and Melora Hardin as Francine Blake. Understudies Peter Bradbury, Nancy Lemenager, Janiah-Camile François, and Benjamin Wheelwright round out the company.
Downey stars as Jacob McNeal, a celebrated author fixated on artificial intelligence—and the Nobel Peace Prize in Literature.
Speaking of A.I., the cast also includes a "highly realistic metahuman digital likeness" of Downey (as per press notes), developed by film production company AGBO.
Sher leads 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 is stage manager.
Lincoln Center Theater is producing McNeal in association with Team Downey.
Tickets are available at LCT.org.
Ayad Akhtar and Bartlett Sher
Company of McNeal
Ayad Akhtar, Robert Downey Jr., and Bartlett Sher
Robert Downey Jr.
Brittany Bellizeare and Rafi Gavron
Saisha Talwar and Ruthie Ann Miles
Melora Hardin
Andrea Martin
