Julia Roberts is set to return to Broadway early next year in a new production of “Small Mouth Sounds,” an experimental play centered on a silent retreat. The 2015 play, written by Bess Wohl, is known for its unique staging that incorporates extended moments of silence, blending humor and emotional depth.

Roberts will reunite with Paul Rudd, her co-star from the 2006 Broadway production “Three Days of Rain.” Joining them in the cast are Martin Freeman, Greta Lee, Sarah Paulson, and Isaac Powell. The production will be directed by Joe Mantello and produced by Scott Rudin and Barry Diller, both prominent figures in the theater world. Mantello, Rudin, and Diller are also producing another Broadway play this fall, “Downstate,” a 2018 tragicomedy by Bruce Norris set in a group home for sex offenders.

Both Wohl and Norris are Pulitzer Prize-winning playwrights, and their respective works are critically acclaimed though considered commercially challenging. “Small Mouth Sounds” pushes boundaries with its use of silence, while “Downstate” explores difficult themes through its portrayal of largely unsympathetic characters. Scott Rudin, whose recent work includes a Tony-winning revival of “Death of a Salesman,” acknowledged the challenges these productions present but emphasized the importance of artistic risk. “If it’s not challenging, what’s the point?” he said.

Rudin anticipates strong demand for “Small Mouth Sounds” due to its high-profile cast and hopes to use that interest to promote “Downstate,” which may face a tougher ticket-selling environment. As part of an unusual marketing strategy, tickets for both shows will go on sale simultaneously next week. Patrons who purchase a $150 ticket to “Downstate” will have the opportunity to buy a premium seat for “Small Mouth Sounds” at $250. Rudin noted that while prices may seem steep, they remain lower than expected for a production featuring such a star-studded cast, reflecting the rising economic pressures on Broadway.

The two shows will be staged at separate theaters on Broadway, with “Downstate” previewing at the Booth Theater from October 17 and opening November 15 for a run of 12 weeks. “Small Mouth Sounds” is scheduled to begin previews on February 18 and officially open on March 18 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater.

“Downstate” had its premiere at the Steppenwolf Theater Company in Chicago, directed by Pam MacKinnon, with several original cast members returning for the Broadway production. The ensemble includes Francis Guinan, K. Todd Freeman, Cassie Beck, Adrian Martinez, Al’Jaleel McGhee, Thomas Sadoski, Ivy Wolk, and Liza Colón-Zayas. Norris, who received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2011 and a Tony Award for Best Play in 2012 for “Clybourne Park,” had a previous public disagreement with Rudin but the two have since reconciled.

Meanwhile, “Small Mouth Sounds” first appeared Off Broadway at Ars Nova under the direction of Rachel Chavkin. The play received positive reviews for its innovative approach, with one critic calling it “enchanting” and “a model of ingenuity.” Wohl’s recent accolades include this year’s Pulitzer and Tony Awards for her play “Liberation,” which depicts the women’s movement.

Both productions mark a significant step in Scott Rudin’s return to active producing after a period of withdrawal from the public eye following reports of his past bullying behavior. Barry Diller, the billionaire media executive and longtime supporter of Rudin’s work, is the sole investor in these new Broadway ventures.