Kieran Culkin Says He's 'Trying Not to Worry' as He Has 'Nerves' Ahead of Big Broadway Return (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Kieran Culkin attends the 49th Chaplin Award Honoring Jeff Bridges at Lincoln Center on April 29, 2024 in New York City.Photo:Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Kieran Culkinhas all sorts of feelings about his return to Broadway.

The actor, 42, is coming back to the Main Stem ina new revival ofGlengarry Glen Ross, set to begin performances on March 10 ahead of its March 31 opening at The Palace Theatre in New York City. And while speaking exclusive to PEOPLE about hisSuper Bowl ad with NerdWallet, Culkin looked forward to his time in the play, admitting that he’s experiencing “nerves.”

“I wonder if it’s excitement,” the star says. “What’s going through my body? Yeah, there’s nerves, I guess, but I’m not paying attention.”

“I’ve just been putting it off, mentally,” adds Culkin, who has since started rehearsals. “All I know is it is a really good, really well-written play, and as long as we don’t do anything drastic to f— it up, it should be good.”

The actor adds that he’s “just trying not to worry,” noting that everything he needs to be successful in the role is “already on the page.”

Not only is Culkin sticking to the script, he says he’s ensuring that he doesn’t “misinterpret” playwright David Mamet’s words or “make wild choices that just don’t fit.” TheSuccessionactor says, “That’s all, it’s just not worrying and doing the work.”

Kieran Culkin attends the photocall for “A Real Pain” at The Curzon Mayfair on Dec. 11, 2024 in London.Jeff Spicer/WireImage

Jeff Spicer/WireImage

The screen star — currentlya 2025 Oscar nomineefor his supporting actor work in the comedy-dramaA Real Pain— will star inGlengarry Glen Rossfor its 12-week limited run alongsideBob OdenkirkandBill Burr, who are both making their Broadway debut.

The show takes place over two days in “a cutthroat Chicago real estate office, where four salespeople compete to sell mostly worthless properties to unwitting customers,” according to an official synopsis. But the stakes are high as the person who sells the most will win a car, while the one who sells the least will lose their job.

Kieran Culkin attends the 2024 Gotham Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on Dec. 2, 2024 in New York City.Taylor Hill/WireImage

Taylor Hill/WireImage

Culkin’s return to Broadway follows his 2014 production of Kenneth Lonergan’sThis Is Our Youth,in which he starredoppositeMichael Cera. He also starred in the 2000 production of James Lapine’s playThe Moment WhenwithMark Ruffaloand the late Phyllis Newman.

“I’m like, ‘I thought this was a good prank. I’m stupid. Oh my God, I’m so sorry.’ But actually, they loved it,” he told the outlet. “Mark says, ‘I haven’t smoked pot in 10 years; the second half’s going to be so much fun.’ There was this other actor who had never smoked pot in her life. She goes, ‘Is this what being high is? This is lovely.’ And then Phyllis Newman comes in and goes, ‘I haven’t smoked pot since the 1960s. Thank you, darling.’ "

His upcoming Broadway costars, however, will be safe as he said he wouldn’t repeat the antics again. “I’m 42 now,” he insisted. “I know better. I’m not going to try to get anyone high on stage.”

Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in ‘A Real Pain’.Photo Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

Photo Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Tickets for Glengarry Glen Rossare now on sale.

source: people.com