DOWNSTATE Previews

Bruce Norris’s profane, provocative play Downstate receives its Broadway premiere tomorrow night (October 22) at the Booth Theatre. Strongly received in recent Chicago and Off-Broadway productions, the tragicomedy — directed by Joe Mantello — features Al’Jaleel McGhee, K. Todd Freeman, Francis Guinan, Liza Colón-Zayas, Thomas Sadoski, Cassie Beck, Ivy Wolk, and Adrian Martinez. Opening night is November 15 for a limited run through January 10.

“Four men, living together uneasily in the pressure-cooker of a state-sanctioned group home, have been convicted of sex crimes against minors. They have served their prison sentences, but enjoying the freedom they believe they have earned proves both elusive and treacherous. When a survivor unexpectedly arrives and demands to confront his abuser, the encounter triggers a catastrophic chain reaction that cannot be contained.”

Who’s going to see the show that will “piss off half of America”?

Updated On: 10/21/26 at 12:00 AM

Any first impressions on the play tonight? And were there any understudies on?

Updated On: 10/22/26 at 11:16 PM

It seems very far fetched that Rudin would make the entire audience of a Broadway theatre over multiple performances sign NDAs because Scott is a smart producer and understands word of mouth is important. 🙄

iluvtheatertrash said: "It seems very far fetched that Rudin would make the entire audience of a Broadway theatre over multiple performances sign NDAs because Scott is a smart producer and understands word of mouth is important. 🙄"

lol

Unfortunately this has lost the spark it had off broadway. The Broadway production looks identical to what was at playwrights horizons, so I don’t really understand why they didn’t just do a direct transfer. I know it was only the fourth preview, people were flubbing lines, the pacing is totally off, the build to the climax was non existent. The major reveal in act 2 was a dud. It’s still a strong play, but it’s mostly political debate instead of the emotionality and three dimensional characters I saw at PH. The character of Andy and his wife feel satirical, a far cry from the actor who was bursting at the seams off Broadway, you actually felt for him. Now we get some douchey finance bro who is clearly made out to be the villain. Scott Rudin dropped the ball here as it was clearly a mistake to replace the original director in favor of the inferior JM. You simply can’t improve perfection. It’s lost the human touch and freshness.

DiegoKoch said: "Unfortunately this has lost the spark it had off broadway. The Broadway production looks identical to what was at playwrights horizons, so I don’t really understand why they didn’t just do a direct transfer. I know it was only the fourth preview, people were flubbing lines, the pacing is totally off, the build to the climax was non existent. The major reveal in act 2 was a dud. It’s still a strong play, but it’s mostlypolitical debate instead of the emotionality and three dimensional characters I saw at PH. The character of Andy and his wife feel satirical, a far cry from the actor who was bursting at the seams off Broadway, you actually felt for him. Now we get some douchey finance bro who is clearly made out to be the villain. Scott Rudin dropped the ball here as it was clearly a mistake to replace the original directorin favor of the inferior JM. You simply can’t improve perfection. It’s lost the human touch and freshness."

I agree with much of what you say. It’s a great play though, and this production brings out other aspects of it.

"DiegoKoch said: "Unfortunately this has lost the spark it had off broadway. The Broadway production looks identical to what was at playwrights horizons, so I don’t really understand why they didn’t just do a direct transfer.."

I do not know how that's possible. The design team is completely different with a different director.

CoffeeBreak said: ""DiegoKoch said: "Unfortunately this has lost the spark it had off broadway. The Broadway production looks identical to what was at playwrights horizons, so I don’t really understand why they didn’t just do a direct transfer.."

I do not know how that's possible. The design team is completely different with a different director."

The set and costumes are ever so slightly different. I think some of those costumes are the same. It’s a subpar version of what it was before. The pleated door for Felix’s room is exactly the same and the reveal is exactly the same but with less intensity.

Hmm. Someone who just joined and has a clear anti-Mantello bias sounds suspiciously like a well-known poster with multiple accounts.

For a 4th preview, this is in fantastic shape. Not sure what these line flubs are that certain people are referring to (I counted exactly one). The ensemble has tremendous chemistry and there's not a weak link within the cast.

The subject matter will obviously be off putting to many folks, but if you can handle it, it says some fascinating things about how we treat each other and how our society views different people (while, to be clear, regardless of what random MAGA person who can't even spell theatre posts, never in any way condoning anyone's actions). And is surprisingly funny and strangely sweet at times as well.

DiegoKoch said: "Unfortunately this has lost the spark it had off broadway. The Broadway production looks identical to what was at playwrights horizons, so I don’t really understand why they didn’t just do a direct transfer. I know it was only the fourth preview, people were flubbing lines, the pacing is totally off, the build to the climax was non existent. The major reveal in act 2 was a dud. It’s still a strong play, but it’s mostlypolitical debate instead of the emotionality and three dimensional characters I saw at PH. The character of Andy and his wife feel satirical, a far cry from the actor who was bursting at the seams off Broadway, you actually felt for him. Now we get some douchey finance bro who is clearly made out to be the villain. Scott Rudin dropped the ball here as it was clearly a mistake to replace the original directorin favor of the inferior JM. You simply can’t improve perfection. It’s lost the human touch and freshness."

Thanks! Fred Mason and Flash think the same thing!!!!!!!