Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise avoided being photographed in any proximity to the brave Scientology protesters gathered a half block down the street from the official debut of her Broadway play All My Sons. The cult spokesperson and his trend-setting wife arrived at the theater hours before the opening, slipping into a back door. They essentially avoided controversy but they also missed out on an important opportunity to be photographed. Blythe Danner, Barbara Walters, Patricia Clarkson and Isabella Rossellini were among the celebrities at the debut who were able to hear the protesters anti-Scientology jeers. Keep it up, Anonymous:

Anti-Scientology protesters mixed with Hollywood royalty who came out to see Katie Holmes make her Broadway debut Thursday night in “All My Sons.”

Celebs like Blythe Danner, Barbara Walters, Patricia Clarkson and Isabella Rossellini were greeted with chants of “Save Katie, Keep Tom,” “Scientology kills” and “Katie, what has Scientology cost you?” from the group that calls itself Anonymous.

The protestors, many wearing masks depicting 16th century English revolutionary Guy Fawkes, were kept a half-block down the street, but their yelling was loud and clear.

“We’re not protesting Katie or the play,” said Anonymous spokesman Matthew Danziger, who said his father is a Scientologist. “Our aim is to shed some light on the human rights abuses of Scientology. We hope Katie Holmes sees this and takes note.”

[From the NY Daily News]

As OK! notes, the protesters were placed behind barricades down the street by police. They did get their point across, though, and it seems like Katie and Tom heard it loud and clear since they couldn’t even work her own debut. Protestors were of course countered by wild-eyed goons from the cult, who tried to smear them by tying them to the school gunman in Finland and saying they threatened violence, something Anonymous stands firm against:

The folks from Anonymous were offset by a throng of fans across the street who cheered their support for Katie and her family.

After the production started, the protesters were told there would be no more loud chanting permitted and the group dispersed for the evening.

Reverend John Carmichael, who is the President of the Church of Scientology in New York, attempted to undo the damage done by the protesters by claiming that Anonymous made threats of violence. He also alleged that a group member was responsible for a school shooting in Finland in November 2007.

[From OK!]

Keep talking, Scientologists, you’re only making yourselves look bad.

Holmes is getting mixed reviews for her Broadway debut, with critics saying she’s decent but lacks the chops to perform on stage.

Here’s Katie Holmes on the opening night curtain call and at the after party last night. That hideous white jumpsuit thing with the black lace top is her own design!

Most photos credit: WENN. Some photos credit: Bauergriffinonline