Robert Downey Jr.'s Broadway Debut Met with Harsh Reviews

Robert Downey Jr. is taking the stage in the latest production of "McNeal," and the reviews are out.

Downey Jr. is portraying the lead role of Jacob McNeal, a writer honored with the Nobel Prize in Literature. During his award speech, McNeal dives into the complexities of artificial intelligence, a topic he is intimately familiar with due to his experimentation with it in creating his literary works.

The premiere at the Lincoln Center Theatre in New York received various reviews when it opened on Monday evening.

The Washington Post's headline made it seem like critics were puzzled by Downey Jr's role in an AI-themed play, with part of their review saying, "Robert Downey Jr. is a high-gloss mess that strands the audience in the weeds."

Variety's review, on the other hand, criticized the actor's Broadway debut as "stale and confounding."

"While beautifully staged and produced, 'McNeal' is a dull and garbled play that says very little about ethics and artificial intelligence and instead hoists up a pompous and exhausting man who has only ever cared about himself and his legacy."

Described as an "endurance test" by USA Today, the New York Theatre Guide, on the other hand, praised Downey Jr.'s performance, acknowledging his confident Broadway debut. However, according to the review, the play itself fell short of expectations.

Meanwhile, the New York Post's headline said, "Robert Downey Jr.'s awful Broadway play about AI is a total wipeout."

"McNeal" marks Downey Jr.'s first theatrical performance since his brief stint in the off-Broadway production of "American Passion" back in 1983.

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