Scarlett Johansson wowed audiences with her Broadway debut in the revival of Arthur Miller’s A View From The Bridge. Critics praised her performance as “enchanting” and “assured,” noting that she portrayed the role of a teenage orphan with sincerity and depth. Unlike some other Hollywood stars who have struggled on Broadway, including Julia Roberts and Katie Holmes, Johansson’s turn was described as “touching.” The New York City native even went so far as to don a brunette wig for the role, adding authenticity to her portrayal. Overall, Johansson’s performance received rave reviews from critics and fans alike.
Scarlett Johansson was beaming with joy in her Dolce Gabbana outfit after her successful Broadway debut in A View From The Bridge. The play revolves around Catherine, an orphan residing in Brooklyn during the 1950s, who experiences a life-changing event when her aunt’s cousins Rodolpho and Marco come to the United States illegally from Italy. Catherine’s uncle Eddie has an unhealthy infatuation with her, and he is unhappy when she falls in love with Rodolpho. The Cort Theatre premiered the show last night, attended by notable figures such as Hugh Jackman, Ellen Barkin, Zachary Quinto, and Naomi Watts, who accompanied the production’s leading man Liev Schreiber. Johansson and Schreiber celebrated the triumph of the opening night with the rest of the cast and crew at the ESpace venue situated in Manhattan’s Clinton neighborhood.
As the performance came to an end, Johansson, donning a stunning brunette wig and a beige dress, gracefully made her way towards the stage for her well-deserved bow.
Scarlett Johansson made her Broadway debut in Arthur Miller’s play, looking plain and girlish in a brunette wig and muted clothes as Catherine. However, she later changed into a colorful floral dress and let her natural dark blonde hair out at the after-party. Her husband, Ryan Reynolds, was also in attendance after dashing to New York just in time for her opening night from the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. USA Today critic Elysa Gardner praised Johansson’s performance, calling it enchanting.
Johansson decided to wear a wig to cover up her natural dark blonde hair, opting for a brunette hue instead. The New York Times praised the actress’s performance, noting her youthful sensuality and good-natured goofiness as a perfect match for the sheltered 17-year-old character she portrayed. Interestingly, the review also made comparisons to other actresses’ past performances, including Roberts’ Three Days Of Rain (which received negative critiques) and Holmes’ slightly off-key performance in All My Sons. However, the critic Ben Brantley was pleasantly surprised by Johansson’s effortless ability to hold her own against stage veteran Ms. Hecht and co-star Mr. Schreiber.
The main star of the play was Schreiber and his girlfriend, Naomi Watts, was also part of the cast. In recent times, many Hollywood actors have performed poorly on Broadway stages, but Johansson’s performance was exceptional as she fully immersed herself into her character, making it difficult to see her as a celebrity. The Washington Post’s Peter Marks was pleasantly surprised by Johansson’s acting skills, acknowledging that she was capable of more than just being cast for her fame. Johansson embodied her character Catherine with broad vowels and an innocent charm, making the audience believe in the teenager’s awareness of Eddie’s inappropriate affection. Even as Catherine’s loyalty shifts towards Rodolpho, Johansson portrays the lingering pull she feels towards Eddie, deepening Eddie’s confusion.
Celebrities such as Hugh Jackman and his spouse Deborra Lee-Furness attended the performance, making it a star-studded event. John Simon from Bloomberg praised Scarlett Johansson for her first successful performance on stage, commenting on her convincing portrayal of a relatable young woman. He also noted that Johansson looked more natural in person compared to her on-screen appearances. However, the Hollywood Reporter’s Frank Scheck was the only critic who mentioned that there were some areas where Johansson could improve.
During the Night of Culture event, celebrities Ellen Barkin and Zachary Quinto were in attendance. A critic commented on Scarlett Johansson’s performance in a play, stating that she portrayed a young girl coming into her own with a convincing Brooklyn accent and was quite touching. However, the critic noted that as a new stage actress, she could work on projecting her voice and having more stage presence. Despite this, she held her own against her co-star, who happened to be the talented and award-winning theatre actor, Schreiber, who stole the show.
