The Stars Came Out for the Broadway Opening of The Sound Inside

The star wattage at Studio 54, famed nightclub turned theater, was at an all-time high on Thursday for the opening of The Sound Inside. Susan Sarandon, Molly Ringwald, Isabelle Huppert, and Cynthia Nixon were among the many bold-faced names who came out to see Adam Rapp’s sensational new play about a Yale creative writing professor (Mary-Louise Parker) and her gifted but guarded student (Will Hochman).

“I love this theater because I feel like, in another lifetime, I danced at Studio 54,” mused Annaleigh Ashford. The Broadway darling dazzled in a spangly white dress and ruby earrings—a gift from her parents on the opening night of Kinky Boots. Also dressed to the nines was Sarandon, who hit a sartorial high note in an oxblood faux-fur statement coat. “There’s nothing like live theater,” she said moments before the show. “It’s acting without a net, so it’s always so exciting.”

The show’s director, David Cromer, was just as jazzed—and not just because he was celebrating his birthday. “That I was sent a play by Adam Rapp was a big deal, because I never get invited by the cool kids,” he said. “And in my mind, Adam is the ultimate cool kid.” (Indeed, the playwright looked the part, clad in glossy black sneakers).

Post-show, everyone migrated over to Redeye Grill for the after-party, including Parker who quipped: “I haven’t been to an opening since I arrived by covered wagon!”