Katie Charms, Doesn't Embarrass Herself on B'way

Mrs. Tom Cruise's performance praised for "girlish exuberance," "striking physical presence" as All My Sons premieres on Broadway

And they say it's the neon lights that are bright on Broadway!

Celebs, fans, press and critics (of more than just theater) were out in force Thursday to herald Katie Holmes' official debut on the Great White Way, which, in any other universe, would have just been opening night of a brand-new revival of Arthur Miller's All My Sons starring the great Dianne Wiest and John Lithgow.

In this world, however, Mrs. Tom Cruise is playing a supporting role.

Among the stars who settled into the audience in hope of a good show were Holmes' Pieces of April costar Patricia Clarkson, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Farina, Barbara Walters and Miller's filmmaker daughter Rebecca Miller, aka Mrs. Daniel Day-Lewis.

All My Sons' first full week of previews raked in $684,002, making it the highest-grossing show on Broadway for the week, with the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre filling to nearly 98 percent capacity for each of eight performances.

But while Holmes can count on at least some (about 35 members of the masked anti-Scientology group Anonymous were once again on hand to "Free Katie!") to continue coming to see her, will the production itself—not to mention Holmes' performance as Ann, the fiancée of Lithgow's son (Patrick Wilson) as well as the daughter of the disgraced business partner Lithgow betrayed—be enough to make a lasting imprint on oh-so-discerning New York theatergoers?

Cruise called his missus "extraordinary" after her first preview performance. Just in case you want a second opinion, though, here's a rundown of some other early reviews which indicate that, while the former Dawson's Creek star held her own, Broadway doesn't exactly have another Sarah Bernhardt on its hands, either:

• Variety: Holmes "handles her role as death's messenger with neither distinction nor embarrassment. She lacks the technique to match her co-stars' depths, working hard at conveying purpose, gravity and a contradictory duality between innocence and sharpness...she projects an attractive modesty that makes her part of the ensemble, not an obtrusive bit of celebrity casting."

• Associated Press: It's "not about Katie Holmes," nor about any individual castmember, really, but rather director Simon McBurney's heavy-handed staging. Otherwise, the actress "has a striking physical presence, although not much vocal variety."

• USA Today: "At best, she exhibits a girlish exuberance that could serve her well in certain stage roles, provided she finds a director who can ease her obvious self-consciousness and get her to focus on the often-intricate process of character development." But as her character's "experience evolves and her emotions shift, Holmes' tone doesn't. Her initial poise begins to seem strained and her relentlessly energetic line readings strangely flat — even when she screams them out, as she does quite jarringly at one point."

• Chicago Tribune: While demonstrably a neophyte on stage, [Holmes] carries herself with the unmistakable poise and reserve of a much-envied tabloid staple...Holmes does not embarrass herself in any way. But you wish she channeled a little more of her modest origins in Toledo, Ohio, and a little less of her current heightened reality."