Broadway's 'Small Mouth Sounds' Accelerates Schedule, Confirming Star Cast for Silent Retreat Drama
Bess Wohl's dialogue-light drama 'Small Mouth Sounds' will open on Broadway earlier than expected, with previews starting February 10, 2027. The production at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre features a star-studded ensemble including Julia Roberts, Paul Rudd, and Sarah Paulson, directed by Joe Mantello. Tickets go on sale October 25, 2026.
Key points
- The Broadway run of 'Small Mouth Sounds' has been moved up, with previews beginning February 10, 2027, and an official opening night on March 11, 2027.
- The production will be staged at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, replacing the previously announced February 18 start date.
- The cast includes Julia Roberts, Paul Rudd, Sarah Paulson, Martin Freeman, Greta Lee, and Isaac Powell, marking the first time Roberts returns to Broadway since 2006.
- Joe Mantello, a three-time Tony winner, is directing the production, which features minimal dialogue and relies heavily on physical movement and silence.
- General public tickets go on sale on October 25, 2026, at 10 AM ET via Telecharge.com.
Background
In September 2026, it was announced that Scott Rudin and Barry Diller would produce 'Small Mouth Sounds' alongside their fall production 'Downstate.' The play, which won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play for its predecessor 'Liberation' by the same playwright, had previously premiered Off-Broadway in 2015. The current production is part of a broader trend of star-studded Broadway revivals and new plays featuring major film actors.
How outlets are covering it
Playbill and Yahoo emphasize the star power of the cast, particularly highlighting Julia Roberts' return to Broadway after a 20-year hiatus and her reunion with Paul Rudd and director Joe Mantello. Yahoo notes the unique challenge of the play, which features almost no dialogue. The Provincetown Independent offers a behind-the-scenes look at the staging process, focusing on director Alison Greene's approach to choreographing silence and movement in a regional production, contrasting with the Broadway production's emphasis on the cast's excitement. Scenestr reviews a Queensland Theatre Company production that uses headphones to enhance the silent retreat experience, highlighting the immersive potential of the play's format.
Why it matters
The accelerated schedule and high-profile cast signal strong industry confidence in Bess Wohl's work and the commercial viability of dialogue-light theater. The production's success could influence future Broadway trends toward experimental, non-verbal storytelling and star-driven ensemble casts.
What to watch
Tickets for 'Small Mouth Sounds' go on sale to the general public on October 25, 2026. Previews begin February 10, 2027, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, with the official opening on March 11, 2027. The production will run concurrently with Joe Mantello's other Broadway project, 'Downstate.'
- Small Mouth Sounds, Starring Julia Roberts, Paul Rudd, Sarah Paulson, to Open on Broadway Earlier Than Expected Playbill
- Julia Roberts Breaks Silence on Broadway Return After 20 Years — in a Play with Almost No Dialogue Yahoo
- How to Stage a Play With Almost No Dialogue The Provincetown Independent
- Tickets to SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS on Broadway on Sale This Week BroadwayWorld
- Review: Small Mouth Sounds @ Queensland Theatre Company Scenestr
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