Jon Bernthal Broadway debut in Dog Day Afternoon is set for spring 2026, with both Bernthal and his The Bear co-star Ebon Moss-Bachrach taking the stage in a new adaptation of Sidney Lumet’s 1975 crime film. The production, scheduled for Broadway, brings the intense tale of a botched Brooklyn bank robbery to theater audiences for the first time.
New Stage Interpretation of a Crime Classic
The Broadway version is expected to draw inspiration from the original movie, which depicted the summer of 1972 when a first-time crook masterminded a bank heist in Brooklyn that quickly devolved into a hostage crisis. As the unfolding drama attracted media scrutiny and the attention of the FBI, the hapless criminals found themselves at the center of a national spectacle, with the chaos escalating amid public fascination.
Familiar Characters Played by Acclaimed Actors
Character names appear slightly updated for the stage edition. Jon Bernthal will take on the role of Sonny Amato, which fans of the film may recognize as the part initially portrayed by Al Pacino. Ebon Moss-Bachrach is set to play Sal DeSilva, the character first brought to life by John Cazale. Details about other cast members are still under wraps and will be announced later.
Renowned Talent Behind the Scenes and On Stage
Rupert Goold, known for directing productions like Judy and King Charles III, is attached to direct the show. The script is being written by Stephen Adly Guirgis, celebrated for works such as Between Riverside and Crazy and The Motherf***er With the Hat. This creative team brings extensive experience to the reinterpretation of the famous crime story.
Though this marks Jon Bernthal’s first Broadway appearance, he is no stranger to the stage, having previously performed in plays including Ironbound, Small Engine Repair, and This Is Our Youth. Bernthal is widely recognized for his film and television roles, such as in The Wolf of Wall Street, Baby Driver, The Accountant, King Richard, The Punisher, and The Walking Dead.
Moss-Bachrach, whose credits include both The Punisher and HBO’s Girls, found critical acclaim on The Bear, winning two Emmy Awards. His future projects include a high-profile role in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps alongside Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Vanessa Kirby.
Production and Broader Impact on Broadway
The production is being mounted by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, notable for previous stage successes such as Beetlejuice, The Outsiders, and Good Night, and Good Luck. The company is also developing musicals based on The Lost Boys and Crazy Rich Asians, demonstrating its commitment to bringing film stories to theatrical audiences and enriching the Broadway landscape.
As anticipation grows for Jon Bernthal’s Broadway debut in Dog Day Afternoon, the involvement of accomplished names like Stephen Adly Guirgis, Rupert Goold, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach signals a major theatrical event for 2026. With a celebrated creative team and a story rooted in one of Brooklyn’s most infamous incidents, the production is poised to draw enthusiastic interest from theatergoers and fans of the original film alike.
