The Greatest Showman #1094 - Celebrities Gather

At this moment, the Richard Rogers Theater felt almost surreal. In a daze, it seemed to transform into the Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. But upon closer reflection, it was clear this place had its own unique charm.

The reason for this was simple: the premiere was not being held in the evening, but in the afternoon. "Les Misérables" runs six hours long, so similar to London's West End, it was split into two parts. Thus, the red carpet ceremony for this premiere started at 1:30 pm.

The scorching noon sun pierced through the steel and concrete canopy of New York City, scattering light in a way that made it difficult for anyone to keep their eyes open. The heat was so intense it almost burned the skin. At this moment, most people would be lounging on the beach or hiding indoors with air conditioning, not standing under the searing sun like this.

Despite the heat, the premiere night marked a unique and bold entry into Broadway's history.

Standing on the red carpet, Paul Walker felt like he was inside a steam room, his body practically dripping with sweat. To comply with theater etiquette, he wore a suit, shirt, and tie, making it even harder to breathe. His back was soaked with sweat.

"Paul, are you okay? You look like you're in a sauna in Finland!" A reporter joked as they approached. The cheerful atmosphere was palpable, and before Paul could respond, the reporter turned to Ryan, "Ryan, did you just come out of a pool?"

Paul whipped his head around and saw Ryan, equally drenched in sweat, looking more uncomfortable than he was. The sight had everyone laughing.

Ryan stuck out his tongue and gasped, "I'm fine. Once inside the theater, everything will be great. It's definitely worth it for such an amazing show. I prepared myself well, and I can't wait to enjoy it!"

Ryan continued, "I missed the show when it was in London because of scheduling conflicts. It's a shame, but now I can finally make up for it, and I'm thrilled!" He grinned and then turned sharply to Renly, "Renly, you see how rare a friend I am? How about reserving two seats for me in the box next week?"

After a brief stunned silence, all the reporters burst into laughter.

The camaraderie between Paul, Ryan, and Renly was truly enviable. A reporter seized the opportunity to ask, "Paul, you're here to support Renly, so you came with Ryan to the premiere tonight?"

Paul hesitated for a moment. In fact, he had planned to attend the premiere with his daughter, Meadow, but she had declined.

Meadow had been reluctant to step into the spotlight with so much media attention around the event. She preferred to watch the show later, privately, with her friends. Paul had watched the play with her before, but this time, she wanted to experience it on her own.

With a wistful expression, Paul reluctantly decided to attend alone. Renly, sensing the situation, had suggested Paul come with Ryan instead, since Ryan's relationship with Eva Mendes was low-key and he would be attending solo. So, the two of them had arrived together.

When Paul was hit with the reporter's question, he was caught off guard, but before he could answer, Ryan cleverly intervened, "Please, don't misunderstand our friendship! When the Ice Bucket Challenge was happening, I almost had a falling out with Renly. As for Paul, he's a lost lamb, and I'm just trying to lead him back onto the right path."

The lighthearted joke had everyone in stitches.

And that concluded the interview.

The stream of celebrities arriving on the red carpet was non-stop, overwhelming those who were present.

To everyone's surprise, some big names were notably absent. Jennifer Lawrence, Alexander Skarsgård, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Scarlett Johansson—who had all been prominent figures during the Ice Bucket Challenge—were nowhere to be seen, opting for a more low-key approach.

Later, Andrew Garfield shed light on the mystery: "Queue."

"Emma wanted to come with me to the premiere, but there was no room in the VIP box. This isn't Renly's fault, and it's not the theater's fault either. The demand for performance seats tonight is crazy," Andrew said with a wide smile. "I'm lucky; I already reserved a ticket a month ago thanks to Renly."

As Andrew mentioned, securing a ticket to the premiere night had become a mark of status, a way for the elite to showcase their cultural capital. Much like the Vanity Fair Oscars party, the event itself was secondary—it was the privilege of attending that signified recognition in the industry.

Now, everyone was eager to land a seat in the VIP box at the premiere of Les Misérables, striving to prove they were both on-trend and influential.

The attendance list from Hollywood was star-studded:

Steven Spielberg, Barry Meyer, Meryl Streep, Scott Rudin, Frank Marshall, Emma Thompson, Jack Nicholson, Woody Allen, and Harvey Weinstein. Adding to that list were Paul Walker, Ryan Gosling, and Andrew Garfield—emphasizing Andrew's point.

As Andrew made clear, everyone wanted to attend the premiere, but only a lucky few were able to secure a spot. Those who missed out had to settle for later days, reluctant not to fall behind in the trend.

Securing a ticket wasn't easy, not only for ordinary theatergoers but even for the top elites of Hollywood. It was becoming harder to get a seat than ever before.

Nevertheless, the red carpet at the premiere was a glittering display of celebrity, outshining even the Oscars in terms of star power. Outside of Hollywood, there was a prominent showing of top figures from various fields.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and Sequoia Ventures executive Michael Moritz were among the Silicon Valley giants in attendance. NFL New York Giants owner John Mara (Rooney Mara's uncle), NBA legend Kobe Bryant, supermodel Gisele Bündchen, and socialite Olivia Palermo also graced the event, each adding to the diverse representation from different industries.

In addition to these well-known figures, there were countless other faces, unfamiliar to entertainment reporters. These people came from all walks of life—real estate moguls, Wall Street elites, emerging artists, new fashion darlings, pianists, conductors, and more.

While many of these individuals were not recognizable to the media, their presence spoke volumes about the significance and cultural weight of the premiere.

In contrast to the more professional, classical vibe of the West End premiere in London, this event on Broadway felt like a showcase of varied industries—more like a talk show than a traditional theater stage.

But that's the difference between Broadway and the West End. It's a difference in approach, style, and even philosophy. Whether people liked it or not, it was happening, and the excitement was undeniable.

More than just a cultural event, the Les Misérables premiere was a celebration of the growing "copper smell" of the North American theater scene. While Broadway doesn't boast the deep-rooted heritage of the West End, it offers a more expansive range of opportunities, both creatively and financially. Shows that succeed in London often make their way to Broadway, seeking greater exposure and profit.

And so it was with Les Misérables.

But in the end, no matter the differences, the success of the premiere night at the Richard Rogers Theatre was undeniable. The celebrities in the VIP boxes ignited conversation, while the 100% packed audience fueled the enthusiasm. Outside, dedicated fans cheered on the stars, creating a buzz that lingered long after the event.

The New York Post summed it up: "This is a party bigger than Edge of Tomorrow, the most important performance for the upper class since 2012. Everyone came dressed to show off their appearance and posture, trying to prove their artistic sensibility and rich heritage."

This wasn't a criticism but a positive acknowledgment of the event's cultural significance. It was a turning point for Renly Hall—no longer just another actor, but someone entering a new tier of prominence. His aristocratic background had become a halo, attracting attention from all sides.

But despite the celebrity presence, the success or failure of a play ultimately lies in the critics' hands, not the stars.

While Les Misérables had already earned accolades in London, the real test awaited on Broadway. Would the American critics approve, or would the play face an uphill battle? After all, in their eyes, celebrity attendance was more of a liability than an asset.

By the time the premiere concluded, all eyes were focused on the reviews. Word-of-mouth had already sparked intense discussion. Les Misérables had conquered London, but what about New York?