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Robert Downey Jr.’s Broadway Journey in ‘McNeal’: A Contender for Tony Recognition?
Renowned Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Ayad Akhtar has maintained a remarkable streak at the Tony Awards over the last decade, with both of his previous Broadway productions, “Disgraced” (2014) and “Junk” (2017), receiving nominations for Best Play. This achievement places him among a select group of writers in the Tony Awards’ history who have garnered multiple nominations for the premier category. Akhtar’s latest drama, “McNeal,” opened in September and features Oscar-winning actor Robert Downey Jr. in his Broadway debut, where he portrays a complex, troubled, and highly successful novelist.
With Downey’s recent accolades, including an Oscar for “Oppenheimer” and an Emmy for his series “Downey’s Dream Cars,” expectations for “McNeal” are high. The play seeks to achieve a milestone not previously reached by Akhtar’s works: to earn a Tony nomination for acting.
“Disgraced,” which won Akhtar a Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2013, presented a riveting exploration of themes surrounding religion, politics, and identity through the lens of a small ensemble cast. Critics praised the performance of lead actor Hari Dhillon, with former New York Times critic Charles Isherwood describing his portrayal as “coiled intensity.” Another standout in the cast, Karen Pittman, received accolades as well, with Isherwood noting her “magnetic and funny” performance. However, neither actor received Tony nominations, despite the critical acclaim.
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In his subsequent Broadway venture, “Junk,” Akhtar critiqued the 1980s Wall Street junk bond scandal inspired by the infamous Michael Milken. Though the production earned mixed reviews overall, lead actor Steven Pasquale was noted for his strong performance as Robert Merkin. Critics like Adam Feldman from Time Out New York described Pasquale’s performance as “chilling,” while Sara Holdren from Vulture characterized him as “darkly charismatic.” Nonetheless, Pasquale did not receive a Tony nomination, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the awards process even for seasoned performers.
Unlike its predecessors, “McNeal” faced a wave of negative critiques upon its opening. Jesse Green from the New York Times found the production “turgid,” and Adam Feldman remarked there was “nothing in ‘McNeal’ that is convincing,” pointing to issues such as thin character development and implausible situations. The unfavorable reception may hinder Akhtar’s streak of nominations and complicate Downey’s chances for recognition, despite his multifaceted portrayal, grappling with themes of alcoholism, self-doubt, familial strife, and allegations of plagiarism.
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Downey enters the fray amid a highly competitive landscape for actors in play categories this season. Notable performances from actors such as Cole Escola in “Oh, Mary!,” Peter Friedman in “JOB,” Daniel Dae Kim in “Yellow Face,” and Kit Connor in “Romeo + Juliet” set a high bar for contenders. The upcoming spring season is expected to bring further heavyweight performances, including from Oscar winners Denzel Washington in “Othello” and George Clooney in “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
Historically, closures early in the award season can dampen chances for nominations. However, past Tony voters have exhibited strong memories, often acknowledging performances from productions that have closed. Last year, two of the five nominees came from closed shows. “McNeal” is scheduled to conclude its limited run on November 24, leaving the question of its impact on the upcoming Tony nominations still open.
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