Tom Hanks’ New Broadway Role Draws Criticism for Pacing and Unseen Revelations
NEW YORK, NY – Tom Hanks, celebrated for decades as Hollywood’s quintessential “nice guy,” is facing lukewarm reviews for his performance in the new Broadway play This World of Tomorrow, currently running at the Hayes Theater. While lauded for his presence, critics suggest the production suffers from sluggish pacing, underdeveloped characters, and a frustrating withholding of key plot points, including a pivotal reveal about his character’s origins.
The play, which opened April 29th, centers on Bert, portrayed by Hanks, a man grappling with a mysterious connection to Carmen (Kelli O’Hara), a woman haunted by a past she can’t quite grasp. A central, and ultimately unseen, element of the narrative is Bert’s identity as a time-traveling scientist - a revelation the script deliberately avoids presenting directly to the audience. This narrative choice, alongside a perceived lack of depth in supporting characters, has led reviewers to question the play’s two-hour-plus runtime and overall impact.
Despite the criticisms leveled at the script, several elements of the production have been praised. Kelli O’Hara’s performance as Carmen is consistently highlighted as a standout, bringing “a sage edge” to the role. Derek McLane’s innovative set design, utilizing vertical-pillar projections to evoke the atmosphere of 1939, and Dede Ayite’s period-appropriate costuming also receive positive attention. Though, these strengths are deemed insufficient to overcome the play’s basic structural issues.
Reviewers from The Daily Beast note the play’s “dreary circling of character and themes,” and its failure to capitalize on potentially dramatic moments. The production’s deliberate omission of Bert’s time-traveling confession is particularly frustrating, leaving audiences feeling shortchanged. This World of Tomorrow marks Hanks’ return to the Broadway stage after a 23-year absence, and while his presence undoubtedly draws audiences, the play itself appears to be struggling to deliver a compelling narrative experience.
