Sean Hayes may be solo on stage, but he was surrounded by friends off-stage on Friday, Feb. 13, when some of his famous pals visited him at his one-man Off-Broadway show, The Unknown.
Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, Bradley Cooper, Gigi Hadid and Jesse Tyler Ferguson were among the stars in the crowd at the Studio Seaview theater in New York City, where Hayes' play runs through April 12.
The psychological thriller sees Hayes, 55, playing a writer named Elliot, who is struggling with creative paralysis and finds himself being stalked by an out-of-work actor bitter that he wasn't cast in one of Elliot's plays.
It's a striking departure for Hayes. The actor — known for his comedic and Emmy-winning turn in Will & Grace — ultimately takes on 10 different characters over the course of the 75-minute show, falling deeper and deeper into intensity while exploring the fine line between fascination and obsession.
The audience embraced the piece. At Friday's show, which PEOPLE attended, all jumped to their feet upon the play's conclusion — including Aniston, who was there with boyfriend Jim Curtis by her side, and Bateman, who was accompanied by his wife, Amanda Anka.
Afterwards, the group greeted Hayes backstage. Among the crowd was also filmmaker Will Speck and Scott Icenogle, Hayes' husband.
"This fun bunch caught me off-guard with their surprise visit to the play tonight 🥹," Hayes wrote on Instagram, captioning a gallery of photos snapped by Curtis. "Jen, Jim & crew…you all warmed my heart. Thank you for coming ❤️."
Hayes also posted a picture with Bateman and Arnett, his co-hosts on the No. 1 comedy podcast, Smartless. Hayes also appeared with Arnett recently in the film Is This Thing On?, which Cooper directed.
"My dear friends," Hayes wrote in a second Instagram post. "Thank you so much for coming to the play tonight 💙."
The Unknown began performances on Jan. 31. The play is written by David Cale and directed by Leigh Silverman.
Hayes most recently won the leading actor Tony Award in 2023 for his portrayal of American pianist and composer Oscar Levant in Good Night, Oscar. He was previously nominated for his Broadway debut in 2010's Promises, Promises, and also led the 2016 play An Act of God.
That play was practically a solo show, though Hayes teased during a recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers that playing multiple characters in The Unknown is far more difficult.
"I didn’t take the easy route, I took the harder route," he said. “We rehearse every day, and I just started doing the run-through from the top to the bottom and I go, ‘That had to be four and a half hours long.’ And she’s like, ‘No, it was an hour and 10 minutes.’ I was like, ‘What?!’ It feels like climbing a mountain every time!"
He went on to say that he was drawn to the show because it had "an ending you will never see coming."
"It's crazy. It's so clever," Hayes noted. "It’s such a challenge to lose yourself as an audience member into the storytelling of whether it’s me or not me, of one person playing all these different characters. I can’t wait for people to see it. I mean, I may be brilliant, I may suck — who knows! But to see the story unfold is just riveting."
Tickets for The Unknown are now on sale.
Jennifer Aniston and Friends Show Off Stunning Summer Styles
These days, when people say something is basic, they don’t always mean it in a flattering way. But when it comes to wardrobe staples, basic is anything but boring. Just look at the ways Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Garner, and Joanna Gaines have been wearing them.
All three stars recently wore mix-and-match pieces that are the foundation of any great capsule wardrobe. Aniston paired vintage-wash jeans with a fitted black tank for a sleek, casual look, and Garner dressed up light-wash jeans with a luxe-looking, short-sleeve polo shirt. As for Gaines, she went monochromatic in black jeans and a loose-fitting tank.
If you’re also now inspired to upgrade your own staples, keep scrolling for lookalike Quince clothing pieces starting at $16.
Jennifer Aniston’s Minimalist Masterclass
Aniston’s minimalist tank top and jeans combo is a go-to for her, and we can see why. To recreate her effortless ensemble, we found this Quince tank top with a modest scoop neck, fitted silhouette, and thick straps. It’s made of breathable cotton that’s lightweight enough for summer but can also be layered in the fall and winter. Team it with this pair of jeans, which has a vintage-inspired wash similar to the actress’s. The wide-leg style makes them a comfortable choice whether you’re running errands or heading to lunch.
Jennifer Garner’s Polished Polo
If your style favors classic silhouettes, Jennifer Garner’s sunset look belongs in your closet. Her timeless polo shirt looks nearly identical to this Quince one, which is made of soft, luxe cashmere. It has ribbed, fitted arms, a mid-sized collar, and an adjustable button-front neckline. Shoppers say it’s “lightweight enough for warm weather,” with one noting they “didn’t feel hot at all” wearing it on a 90-degree day. When it comes to her jeans, this lightwash pair is a great option with its subtle heathering at the hips and traditional five-pocket design. The barrel silhouette isn’t overwhelming, and reviewers call them “comfortable in all the right places.”
Joanna Gaines’ Black Basics
Basics are timeless, but that doesn’t mean they can’t also feel modern. Gaines’ monochromatic look proves that. Like this Quince top, her tank has a breezier fit with a subtle curve along the arms, and yes, while it looks good on its own, it’s also great for styling under linen button downs in summer and cardigans come fall. Our personal favorite piece of her look, though, is the sleek, flared jeans. Achieve the same style with Quince’s Luna pair, which mirrors Gaines’ silhouette and has built-in stretch for comfortable, all-day wear and a just-right mid-rise fit.
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