Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach to Make Broadway Debut in Dog Day Afternoon Play Adaptation
Broadway will soon welcome Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, as the acclaimed actors make their debut in Dog Day Afternoon, a new stage adaptation written by Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Adly Guirgis. This powerful play is based on the infamous true crime that inspired Sidney Lumet’s Oscar-winning 1975 film starring Al Pacino.
Directed by two-time Olivier Award winner Rupert Goold, the production is expected to premiere in spring 2026. Bernthal will take on the role of Sonny Amato—originally portrayed by Pacino—while Moss-Bachrach steps into the shoes of Sal DeSilva, a reinterpretation of the role made famous by John Cazale.
A True-Crime Story Reimagined for Broadway
Set during the heatwave of 1972 in New York City, Dog Day Afternoon explores a failed Brooklyn bank robbery that escalates into a full-blown hostage situation. As the city watches in suspense, themes of desperation, identity, and societal unrest take center stage. The story is a timely reminder of how chaos can unfold when personal stakes clash with public spectacle.
The original film was based on “The Boys in the Bank,” a Life magazine article chronicling the real-life events surrounding John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile. The stage version aims to bring a fresh dramatic lens to the events, combining emotional intensity with sharp social commentary.
Star-Studded Creative and Acting Team
Bernthal, known for his compelling performances in The Punisher, The Bear, and The Walking Dead, brings substantial theatrical experience, having starred in over 30 productions. His recent work includes Ironbound and Small Engine Repair.
Moss-Bachrach, another familiar face from TV hits like Andor, The Bear, and Girls, continues to rise as a versatile actor. He will also appear as Ben Grimm/The Thing in Marvel’s upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Director Rupert Goold’s celebrated career includes Broadway hits such as American Psycho and Ink, while Guirgis has previously earned acclaim for The Motherf**er with the Hat* and Between Riverside and Crazy.
Backed by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures
The play is being developed by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, which has produced major Broadway successes including Elf, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and The Bridges of Madison County. The team also announced upcoming projects like The Lost Boys and Crazy Rich Asians for Broadway.
As anticipation builds for this new adaptation of Dog Day Afternoon, fans of true crime, dramatic storytelling, and classic cinema can expect an emotionally rich and theatrically bold production when it hits Broadway in 2026.
