Brad Pitt made a rare public appearance to see pal Ethan Coen's new play A Play Is A Poem at the Mark Taper Forum in Downtown Los Angeles, but something was noticeably absent during the outing ... a date!

Pitt went solo to the star celeb-attended show. Ethan Coen and his brother Joel -- the famous Coen Brothers directors -- led Brad in 2008's Burn After Reading. Of course Pitt's been busy promoting his own new project lately, Ad Astra, but he found time to support an old friend and see some amazing theater. And he wasn't the only one there to support ...

William H. Macy and his daughter Sofia -- despite Felicity Huffman's impending jail sentence -- enjoyed a father-daughter date night, along with some of her friends. Macy starred in the brothers' hit 1996 film Fargo. Dad and daughter looked pleased after the show but not at all interested in talking to the paparazzi ...


Josh Brolin was also in attendance which is no surprise -- he's starred in THREE Coen Brothers films: No Country For Old Men, Lleweyln Moss, and True Grit. These are ACTORS' actors, folks!