Exit The King Broadway Opening Night Video

By Christopher Moore, Broadway Magazine

"We're here for the opening of Exit the King by Eugene Ionesco. I've seen it in previews about eight times now. I love it," smiles Tim Robbins, who has embraced absurdist comedy on his own with his Actors Gang. Tonight, his wife Susan Sarandon opened on Broadway in Exit The King, and Broadway.tv and Broadway Magazine were there.

This play about a 400-year-old king, who finds himself confronting mortality has earned raves from the Broadway critics and the show has instantly become the "must see" comedy on Broadway. On the Broadway red carpet, the excitement for the show was clear.

"I'm very excited. I'm really looking forward to seeing Geoffrey Rush on-stage, number one. I think he's an extraordinary actor. Andrea Martin is a dear, dear friend of mine. I love Andrew, and Susan Sarandon and I went to graduate school together," smiles legendary Broadway director Walter Bobbie.

Ionesco's gift for weaving comedy and tragedy clearly resonated with the opening night crowd and Broadway critics. See the ovation from opening night as the cast takes their well-deserved curtain call.

At the opening night party at Sardi's, the stellar cast shared their thoughts on what it was like to open the show on Broadway.

"It was a good show. A lively audience of celebrities...and agents," beams the radiant Lauren Ambrose.

"Look, I kept saying to the cast before the show, 'It's just another Thursday night, we've done 21 shows' so that paid off handsomely. I said 'if they're a frisky house, that'll would be great,' because it's always good to have a frisky house'...because, I knew out front there were a lot of heavy hitters, you know, industry people...close friends...whatever," star Geoffrey Rush tells Broadway.tv and Broadway Magazine, adding " I think it rocked."

Audiences and critics agree with Mr. Rush's assessment.

"It was the electricity of a Broadway opening," grins the brilliant Andrea Martin, who critics are saying has found a role perfectly suited to her incomparable comic skills.

"We were nervous, but we had fun," Ms. Martin reflects, "We worked a long time to get to this place, and it's a relief."

"The nerves were that good kind of nerves, like 'come on, come on, let me at 'em, let me at 'em.' It's a terrific show," shares William Sadler, who is meriting accolades for his work in the show as well.

"It's been incredible from the beginning," offers Brian Hutchinson, who earned praise for his turn as the Guard.

"I'm so relieved," laughs the always-amazing Susan Sarandon, her work in the show is described as 'mesmerizing' by Variety's David Rooney. It is praise Ms. Sarandon may never read.

" I'm glad we're over the hump of the opening night. There is so much pressure all the time. I don't know...I'm not going to read reviews or anything, but I have heard that they seem good so far. So, I'll be happy just to get an audience and be able to do it for a few months, and just, kind of, play," Ms. Sarandon tells Broadway.tv.

"They're clearly all masters of their craft. The play is written for really great jazz performers. Jazz-actorial-clowns, really," offers Exit The King's director Neil Armfield, coining a new hyphenate.

"They're all great," Ms. Sarandon says of her fellow cast-mates, "Geoffrey is just such a pro, and so solid, and so brave. He really reminds you what it's like to 'play' when you are on-stage,"

Based on the response, the show will be "playing" to full houses for some time to come. Check out all the candid comments, thunderous ovations, show video and more about Exit The King right here on Broadway.tv.