Why do Hollywood A-Listers gamble their reputations and egos on Broadway shows?

Broadway is being inundated pinch stars.

It’s an awesome list. Robert Downey Jr., George Clooney, Mia Farrow, Denzel Washington, Jake Gyllenhaal, Julianna Margulies, Sarah Snook, Katie Holmes, Shailene Woodley, Jim Parsons and Nicole Scherzinger are each appearing successful shows this season.

Between them are 5 Academy Awards, 8 Emmys and 15 Golden Globes.

And, astir notably, conscionable 1 Tony.

Why are these celebs each present from LA? Surely not to get a whiff of nan East River.

The reasons are many. Some are aged pros astatine nan stage, while others had holes successful their usually packed filming schedules opened up by nan 2023 Hollywood strikes. A fewer haven’t made a movie successful years, and one, Washington (the aforementioned 1 Tony), is simply a presumed Oscar contender adjacent March for “Gladiator II.”

But for everybody, Broadway — contempt nan nostalgic nosy of putting connected a show — comes astatine an tremendous consequence to a star’s pridefulness and reputation. 

New York theatre isn’t for illustration nan movies, wherever actors do a fewer days of “did thing funny hap connected set?!” property months aft shooting and move connected to nan adjacent project.

After nan reviews driblet connected a Broadway opening nighttime — sometimes bringing nan boozy statement to a crashing halt — nan A-Lister has sewage to travel backmost and do it again a time later. No matter what.

Downey Jr. took nan season’s first harsh blows. I gave his tedious play astir AI, “McNeal,” 1 star, while nan Times called it “timely but turgid.” 

A root told Closer magazine, “The sadistic reviews person shattered him. He poured his bosom into this project, only for it to explosive — it’s been a rustle to his ego.”

Another said, “he won’t beryllium stepping ft connected a theatre shape again.”

He should, if Downey Jr. could shepherd successful a amended script. He’s good successful nan domiciled of a jackass Nobel Prize winner. It’s Ayad Akhtar’s migraine of a play that sinks nan ship.

The point is, “McNeal” is trading out. The play, which is produced “in association” pinch Downey Jr’s company, Team Downey, grossed $1.35 cardinal past week. Marvel fans are legion. 

But aft those scathing notices, Downey Jr. has still had to execute 8 times a week for 2 much months. For megawatt stars not accustomed to being truthful vulnerable, it’s embarrassing.

Margulies was adjacent successful line. The “Good Wife” and “Morning Show” character leads playwright Delia Ephron’s “Left connected Tenth,” a agelong beryllium astir a female who finds emotion aft nan decease of her husband, only to beryllium diagnosed pinch cancer.  

I gave it 1.5 stars past Wednesday, portion of a tidal activity of mixed-to-negative responses. “Left” is an awkward rom-com that ne'er comes together. And, ouch, it runs done Feb. 2.

Disaster hasn’t befallen everybody. Former Pussycat Doll Scherzinger sewage raves for her capacity arsenic Norma Desmond successful “Sunset Boulevard.” And Kit Connor, a caller phenom connected Netflix’s “Heartstopper” was well-received successful “Romeo + Juliet” — moreover if nan rave-like accumulation sewage a much tepid reaction.

But we’ve still sewage months to spell earlier nan 2024-25 play ends adjacent April.

A immense infinitesimal will travel successful nan outpouring erstwhile George Clooney makes his Broadway debut successful “Good Night, and Good Luck,” which, a root said, is headed to nan Winter Garden aft “Back to nan Future” drops its DeLorean astatine nan junkyard.

It’s a large Broadway debut for a immense name. And George will beryllium hoping he doesn’t suffer nan aforesaid destiny arsenic Julia Roberts, pinch whom he notably appeared successful 5 films.

The “Erin Brockovich” character graced nan New York shape successful 2006 for nan first — and only — clip successful “Three Days of Rain.” 

Not won complete by fame alone, The Post’s Clive Barnes didn’t mince words.

“Hated nan play. To beryllium sadly honest, moreover hated her. At slightest I liked nan rainfall – moreover if 3 days of it tin look an eternity,” Clive wrote.

After a statement for illustration that, Roberts had to beryllium thinking, “Hooray for Hollywood!”