Jake Gyllenhaal wins stellar reviews for Broadway debut
Jake Gyllenhaal has won over notoriously tough theatre critics to land a slew of "dazzling" reviews for his star turn in Constellations on Broadway.
The Hollywood actor makes his Broadway debut opposite British actress Ruth Wilson in Nick Payne's play, which opened at the Samuel J. Friedman Theater in New York City on Tuesday night (13Jan15), and they have both won high praise for playing star-crossed lovers in the drama.
Ben Brantley of The New York Times describes the pair as "perfectly
matched" and brands Gyllenhaal's performance "magnificent", adding,
"It's no surprise that Ms. Wilson, a two-time Olivier Award winner,
is comfortable with her role's demands. But Mr. Gyllenhaal, whose
theatre experience is more limited, is every bit as
persuasive..."
The New York Post's Elisabeth Vincentelli praises Gyllenhaal as
"subtly wonderful" and calls Wilson "tremendous", while Joe
Dziemianowicz of the New York Daily News writes, "The cast is
swoon-worthy. Gyllenhaal is laid-back and ever-genuine as the
passive Roland. Wilson... is sensual and irresistibly carefree - a
perfect foil. Together, they have something elusive: combustible
chemistry."
Linda Winer of Newsday calls the show "dazzling" and The Hollywood
Reporter's David Rooney concludes, "Constellations is... a richly
affecting experience. That's thanks to the sensitivity of the
writing, but also to the warmth, humour and vitality invested in it
by Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Wilson, giving two astonishing
performances in a production... that's as rigorous as it is
tender."
The rave reviews come as an extra boost for Wilson just days after
she won a Golden Globe award for her role in TV drama The
Affair.