Don't be shy, lap it up! Katie Holmes giggles as she makes her way through a throng of fans to her new Broadway play

For so long she stood in the shadow of her former husband Tom Cruise while he lapped up the lion share of the attention.
But now that she has split from her spouse of six years and stepped out of it, Katie Holmes is finally back in the limelight all on her own.
And it appears that it is overwhelming the 33-year-old actress.

It's all for you! Katie Homes was overwhelmed when she was greeted by a throng of fans outside her Broadway play Dead Accounts on Wednesday

The Dawson's Creek star was seen giggling like a schoolgirl as she shyly made her way inside her Broadway show Dead Accounts whilst surrounded by screaming fans.
Admirers had gathered around the entrance of the New York theatre eager to get a look or an autograph from the star.
Brandishing a wide smile, the brunette beauty appeared truly honoured that they were there to greet her.

Giggles: The Dawson's Creek star was seen giggling like a schoolgirl as she shyly made her way inside her play whilst surrounded by screaming fans

Accompanied by a bodyguard, Katie made her way into the building looking cute in a casual outfit consisting of a pair of red billowing silky trousers, a pale grey blouse and a cream-coloured cardigan.
She wore a pair of cream strappy stilettos on her feet and toted a black leather handbag.
Katie has been working extremely hard on the play since it opened last week.

Cute and casual: Accompanied by a bodyguard, Katie made her way into the building looking cute in a casual outfit consisting of a pair of red billowing silky trousers, a pale grey blouse and a cream-coloured cardigan

However, she has since received lukewarm reviews of her performance.
Critics have said that the fresh-faced actress 'fades into the kitchen wallpaper' and 'ultimately couldn't bring dimension to the poorly drawn character.'
Katie portrays a lapsed Catholic named Lorna taking care of her ailing parents in the black comedy, which opened November 28.
'I have a hard time sleeping because I think about how serious this all is,' Katie recently told the New York Times.

Hard working mother: Katie has been working extremely hard on the play since it opened last week

After the show: Katie let her hair down as she stopped for more photos on her way to her car

Heading back home: Katie graciously stayed for more snaps before calling it a night

'I think about the cost of tickets. I think to myself: "You better do a good job. People are paying a lot of money." You want to know your stuff.'
It charts the story of a family and its prodigal son, who returns unexpectedly from New York to his hometown of Cincinnati from New York.
The Batman Begins star even shares a steamy kiss with her co-star Josh Hamilton in the comedy, which also features two-time Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz, Jayne Houdyshell, and funnywoman Judy Greer.
Greer had nothing but praise for the five-foot-nine star, whose boundless energy might be due to caffeine: 'I’ve rarely seen her without a giant cup of coffee in her hand, I will say that.'

Take a bow: Katie was given roses on the opening night of her play Dead Accounts

The Arrested Development actress told Vanity Fair, 'I’ve just been impressed by her work ethic, honestly, and her ability as a single mom, to juggle being an awesome mom.'
Judy continued, 'She’s like got a kid, she works out every day, she’s cooking dinner at night for her daughter, she manages to go and get her a new dress if she has a special thing, going to her lessons after school...it’s pretty impressive.'
The last time Katie was on Broadway was back in 2008, making her debut in a revival of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons.

Mommy and me: Katie was seen taking her daughter Suri shopping for toys last weekend

The actress-turned-fashion designer will next appear alongside Jean Reno, Allison Janney, and William Hurt in a yet-to-be-titled Christian Camargo drama, which is a modern retelling of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull.
She'll also star opposite Gossip Girl hunk Chace Crawford in the romantic comedy Responsible Adults, about a man who realizes that his crush was his babysitter 15 years ago.
Meanwhile, Katie's ex-husband, 50, has been busy filming the sci-fi action film, All You Need is Kill, in London.