The acclaimed play Proof by David Auburn will return to Broadway in its first-ever New York revival, starring Don Cheadle and Ayo Edebiri in their Broadway debuts. The production, directed by Tony Award winner Thomas Kail, is scheduled to begin a limited 16-week run at the Booth Theatre on West 45th Street, starting March 31, 2026, with the official opening night on April 16. This revival highlights the significance of the play while introducing a fresh cast led by these prominent actors.
Plot Overview and Play’s Legacy
Proof centers on the daughter of a recently deceased mathematician, who struggles to establish the authorship of a groundbreaking mathematical proof found among her late father’s belongings. Alongside this challenge, she grapples with her father’s intellectual legacy and history of mental illness. Originally premiering Off-Broadway in 2000 at the Manhattan Theatre Club, Proof later transferred to Broadway, winning three Tony Awards, including Best Play, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2001. It ran for 917 performances at the Walter Kerr Theatre before closing in January 2003 and was adapted into a film in 2005 starring Anthony Hopkins and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Don Cheadle and Ayo Edebiri’s Theatre and Screen Backgrounds
Ayo Edebiri, known for her Emmy, SAG, and Golden Globe-winning portrayal of Sydney in the television series The Bear, brings her diverse talents as an actor, writer, producer, director, and comedian to this Broadway debut. She has also appeared in films like Inside Out 2 and TV shows such as Abbott Elementary, What We Do In The Shadows, and Big Mouth. Notably, Edebiri will share the Broadway spotlight in spring 2026 with her Bear co-stars Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who will perform in Dog Day Afternoon.
Don Cheadle, an Academy Award nominee for Crash and recognized for numerous film roles including Boogie Nights, Hotel Rwanda, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe as James Rhodes (War Machine), returns to New York’s stage after his 2001 Public Theater debut in Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog. His extensive theatre experience also includes performances at prominent venues such as the Guthrie Theater, Shakespeare in the Park, and Chicago’s Goodman Theatre.
Creative Team and Production Details
The revival’s creative team features director Thomas Kail along with producers Mike Bosner and Kail himself. Newly confirmed contributors include sound designers Justin Ellington and Connor Wang, and hair and wig designer Mia Neal. They join previously announced composer Kris Bowers, scenic designer Teresa L. Williams, costume designer Dede Ayite, lighting designer Amanda Zieve, casting director Daniel Swee, and production stage manager Sara Gammage. Baseline Theatrical will serve as the general manager for the production, ensuring a coordinated and professional staging.
Ticketing Information and Audience Access
Advance ticket sales are set to begin with an American Express presale from October 27 at 10 AM ET through November 3 at 9:59 AM ET, available via Telecharge.com. Fans who register at ProofBroadway.com will gain priority access to tickets starting November 3 at noon ET, followed by the general public sale beginning November 6 at 10 AM ET at the same site. This structured ticketing process aims to accommodate demand for this highly anticipated revival.
The Significance of the Revival for Broadway and Fans
This Broadway revival of Proof marks a notable moment by bringing a Pulitzer Prize-winning play back to the stage with a high-profile cast making their Broadway debuts. The production promises to engage audiences with its exploration of intellectual genius, family bonds, and mental health themes, reaffirming the play’s relevance more than two decades after its original premiere. With Don Cheadle and Ayo Edebiri leading the cast under Thomas Kail’s direction, this limited run is poised to attract both long-time fans and new viewers, potentially influencing future revivals of acclaimed works on Broadway.
