Actor Michael Stuhlbarg is set to take the stage in the first preview of Patriots on Broadway, following an incident near Central Park. Reports indicate that Stuhlbarg was walking in Central Park when he was targeted by an assailant who threw a rock, striking him in the back of the neck. Stuhlbarg then pursued the individual, later identified as Xavier Israel, out of the park. Israel was subsequently apprehended and charged with assault, while Stuhlbarg opted not to seek medical attention.
A spokesperson for the production confirmed that Stuhlbarg, known for his notable roles in films such as A Serious Man, Call Me by Your Name, Dopesick, and Boardwalk Empire, is in good health and eager to perform in Patriots. In the play, he portrays Boris A. Berezovsky, a Russian billionaire who attempts to enlist a young Vladimir Putin to run for president in 1991, only to face escalating challenges following a falling out with Putin.
Patriots, penned by Peter Morgan, the creator of the acclaimed Netflix series The Crown, is slated to commence previews on Monday, with an official opening scheduled for April 22. Notably, Netflix serves as one of the producers of the production, adding to the anticipation surrounding the play's debut on Broadway.
