Rudin Returns to Broadway With Controversial Drama and Starry Silent Retreat
Producer Scott Rudin will stage two new Broadway productions next season: Bruce Norris's 'Downstate' about convicted sex offenders, and Bess Wohl's nearly wordless 'Small Mouth Sounds' starring Julia Roberts and Paul Rudd. Both shows will be directed by Joe Mantello, with 'Downstate' opening in November and 'Small Mouth Sounds' following in spring 2027.
The Booth Theatre will host the premiere of Bruce Norris's *Downstate* starting October 17, with an official opening on November 15. Joe Mantello directs both this production and Bess Wohl's *Small Mouth Sounds*, which arrives at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in February 2027. To encourage attendance, Rudin is offering a discount on *Small Mouth Sounds* tickets to patrons who also purchase seats for *Downstate*.
Rudin's comeback follows a two-year hiatus prompted by a 2021 exposé detailing workplace misconduct. His previous revival of *Death of a Salesman* earned six Tony Awards. He is co-producing with Barry Diller and has teased an unannounced project starring Laurie Metcalf for later this season.
The pairing of a provocative drama about convicted sex offenders with a star-driven silent retreat piece could reshape Broadway's commercial landscape by testing whether audiences will embrace difficult themes alongside celebrity appeal. The discount bundling may influence attendance patterns, while Rudin's continued presence could affect industry norms regarding accountability. Public discourse surrounding *Downstate* may reignite debates about artistic representation, potentially influencing how theaters approach sensitive subject matter.