Neil Patrick Harris was joined on the red carpet by his fraternal twins, Harper Grace and Gideon Scott Burtka-Harris, at opening night of the Broadway revival of the French comic play Art. Harris also attended with his husband, chef and actor David Burtka, as the production opened to strong reviews.
The 14-year-old twins, who generally keep a low public profile, made a rare appearance to support Harris, who stars alongside James Corden and Bobby Cannavale in the revival. Art, written by French playwright Yasmina Reza, follows three friends whose relationship frays after one of them purchases an almost entirely white, postmodern painting.
On the carpet, Harris wore a lustrous black shirt with a patterned black jacket and matching trousers. Burtka opted for a black suit paired with a golden knit tie and loafers. Gideon wore a black suit without a tie and black-and-white loafers; Harper wore a yellow patterned dress with tall black boots.
Harris posed with his co-stars as well as a number of notable attendees. Cannavale appeared in a navy suit with a slim blue sweater; Corden wore a black suit with peaked lapels. Among other guests were actors Jodie Foster, Goldie Hawn and Paul Rudd; Moana voice actress Auli'i Cravalho; Broadway veterans Andrea Martin and Nathan Lane; fashion figure Anna Wintour, who wore a bright green maxi dress; Bee Carrozzini; and producer Jordan Roth. Outfits ranged from casual linen suits to formal velvet jackets, reflecting a mix of Broadway and Hollywood sensibilities.
Harris and Burtka, who met in 2004, have been public about key moments in their relationship. They announced in 2010 that they were expecting twins and welcomed Harper and Gideon via surrogate on Oct. 12, 2010. Harris first revealed the pregnancy on social media in August 2010 and announced the births two months later. The couple announced their engagement publicly in 2011 and were married in Italy on Sept. 6, 2014.
The revival of Art reunites stage actors and screen names for a compact, character-driven piece that has long been a staple of international theater. Reviewers have praised the current production's performances and chemistry among the leads, noting the play's enduring premise about friendship, taste and interpersonal rivalry. The appearance of Harris' family underscored the personal attention surrounding the show's opening night and highlighted the continued public interest in the actor's stage work.
Harris has balanced careers in television, film and theater for years, and his presence in the Broadway revival follows a string of high-profile projects. The twins' attendance was notable for its rarity; Harper and Gideon are typically shielded from extensive media exposure. Their red carpet appearance marked one of the few times they have publicly accompanied their parents to a major entertainment event.
The Broadway run will continue according to the production's scheduled engagements, with the cast set to perform regular shows for subscribers and the public. Opening night brought a cross-section of classical theater patrons and entertainment industry figures to celebrate the revival and the ensemble cast's performance.