New York Premiere of The Leftovers

“In a word, hilarious.” That was how show-runner Damon Lindel of described his initial vision for HBO’s latest drama, The Leftovers, at the series’ premiere Monday evening.

Considering the show’s subject matter it’s a dystopian look at life three years after a Rapture-like moment in which two-percent of the world’s population instantly and inexplicably disappears into thin air this was obviously a joke, but still managed to get Lindelof kicked out of a network executive’s office at the time. Two years later, at the theater of NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, the story brought down the house.

Based on the novel by Tom Perrotta, The Leftovers stars Justin Theroux as a the chief of a suburban police department doing everything he can to keep it together both for his town and his broken family, which includes a wayward son and a rightfully angst-ridden teenage daughter (Chris Zylka and Margaret Qualley, respectfully).

Liv Tyler, Carrie Coon, and Amy Brenneman round out the cast, all of whom were in attendance last night along with Andrew Rannells, Bryan Lourd, Kim Cattrall, and Public School’s Maxwell Osborne.

And while the spirit was jovial Jennifer Aniston was beaming with obvious pride for Theroux when she entered the auditorium the jarring first episode of The Leftovers features the hunting of feral dogs, a menacing cult of white robed pacifists, and a life-as-usual ambience that is punctuated by brief, but disturbing flashbacks, all of which work exceptionally well for this depiction of a post-apocalyptic America.

Thankfully, the lavish after-party at Tao was an invitation for guests to relax after a very tense screening. And save for some candy cigarettes without giving anything away, suffice it to say that smoking features prominently in The Leftovers the cavernous Ninth Avenue restaurant had nary a reminder of the show, allowing this reporter to linger over Qualley’s impressive outing in a jewel-toned Rochas look accessorized with Fred Leighton earrings and a tossed updo a beautifully grown-up choice (apparently, a bright pink option was left at home).

And while she may have formally come out at the Hôtel de Crillon in 2011, last night was the 19-year old’s professional debut. “This was my first-ever job,” Qualley said. “It’s my first everything.” No doubt, it won’t be her last.