Entertainment | 10/17/2008 10:00 am

Katie Holmes Makes Debut Broadway Performance Amid Scientology Protest

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

Katie Holmes officially made her Broadway debut Thursday night in the revival of Arthur Miller’s "All My Sons."

Tom Cruise didn’t appear to be in the audience, but Scientology protesters were out in force. Cruise attended the preview show last month.

Reporters lined the red carpet while about 100 stargazers watched from the sidewalk, which was patrolled by at least 30 police officers, as the show began.

The group Anonymous again showed up to protest, because Holmes is wed to Cruise, Scientology’s biggest icon. About 35 protesters carried signs reading "Run, Katie, Run" and chanted "Scientology kills" from a cordoned-off area down the block from the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater, AP reports.

The mostly young demonstrators, many wearing masks like those in the film "V for Vendetta," said they wanted to save Holmes from Scientology.

"We’re here to just protest Scientology in general," 22-year-old Alex Vanino told the AP. "But our main focus right now is getting Katie out of Scientology. There’s been news going around the tabloids saying she would like to get out. It’s unverified, but it would be nice to encourage that."

Celebrities that attended included: Patricia Clarkson (who played Holmes’ mother in the 2003 film "Pieces of April"), Barbara Walters, Dennis Farina and Isabella Rossellini.

Rebecca Miller, the playwright Arthur Miller’s daughter, also attended the show – which was first performed on Broadway in 1947.

"The thing about Katie Holmes is that she’s so right for the part," said Miller.

"All My Sons" was the highest-grossing play on Broadway in its first full week of previews, raking in $684,002.

John Lithgow and Dianne Wiest play Joe and Kate Keller, the prosperous small-town couple whose elder son disappeared in his bomber during the war and whose remaining son - played by Patrick Wilson - wants to marry his brother’s sweetheart, Ann (Holmes). Here’s a NY Daily News review. Consensus is that Wiest and Lithgow stole the show.

Click here to see photos of Holmes at the premier afterparty.

Click here to see photos of the performance and red carpet.

7 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Katie Holmes was well aware of what she was getting into when she married Tom Cruise. If her opinion of Scientology has changed and she would like to get out, I believe she will have to make the effort and do it herself, and that is her business, not the non-Scientology’s people. I don’t appreciate having groups of people target one person that is a star—there are many other people in the same position, without a star’s name, that could really use the help. Getting into a religion is generally easier then getting out, and some are more difficult than others. Katie Holmes has plenty of support if she really wants to get out.

By Gretchen Perkins on 10/17/2008 10:48 am

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Poor Katie…….that’s all I can say.

By Belinda Joy on 10/17/2008 12:19 pm

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I think Katie is just another example of a woman giving up any or all of her personal beliefs and personality, in order to achieve the “Grand prize” of a man. I say this as she was raised in the Catholic faith and has stated while as a teenager, the dream of one day, growing up to marry Tom cruise. He has always been adamant about having complete control over the people and decisions, those people have had, that would/could invariably affect his personal and professional life. Those who do not Agree nor submit to his wishes, are no longer involved in his life.

By HA BIBI on 10/17/2008 12:21 pm

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I don’t have an ounce of patience with these folks screaming about Scientology. Given the recent scandal in the Catholic Church, how is one suppose to get excited about Scientology? Both Mr. Cruise and Mrs. Cruise have the right to choose their religious affiliations and whose damn business is it anyway? Who are the real kooks here anyway?…a bunch of people picking the highest profiled celebrity to hassle because they have a gripe with the Church he has chosen?…give me a break. I find the protests as repugnent as the paparazzi. I am sure there are plain citizens attending the same church…why not hang out at their places of business? I think its sanctioned harrassment. Until you can show me people who are dragged into the church and made to join… And those people pontificating on Ms. Holmes choice to become Mrs. Cruise…puleeze…you mean you have absolutely nothing else more important than speculating on this woman’s life choice of a husband? Free country, Free will…her right! Nobody find it ironic on a web dedicated to women …what about Katie’s right to choose ?

By Victoria J on 10/18/2008 11:23 am

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It’s a sad reflection on how we raise our daughters. …and where did she get that outfit? the black lace is elegant, then descends to poorly stitched, cheap-looking pajamas!

By margameri margameri on 10/18/2008 11:31 am

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Ahhh Victoria, I don’t know where you have been or what you read but it was a well known fact put out there that, Part of the agreement with her was that in order to marry him she had to take on his so called faith, which BTW, more than a few people, believe it to be a cult, myself included. Also let it be known to you as well, that this is a blog site to which people write/post their opinion’s and if you don’t agree fine, but to assume they have nothing better to do than speculate, perhaps it is you that is out of the loop.

By HA BIBI on 10/18/2008 8:53 pm

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I dare not share what I have heard about this group “S”. It would most likely be the death of me - almost literally. It most assuredly is a cult. Most religions are… unless their is a very fine line drawn, in which case in my opinion, they still are. Anyone else thinking ;that maybe the two of them aren’t going to be together much longer? I can’t imagine why Katie would get into such a mess - except she was too young when they married, and when she got pregnant. Of course, their child will be the one to suffer! It’s always the kids who get hurt the most!

By Ro H on 10/20/2008 1:34 am