Dog Day Afternoon on Broadway Tickets

Dog Day Afternoon in New York City.

Catch an explosive new play on Broadway as Dog Day Afternoon storms into the August Wilson Theatre in the heart of Times Square. This pulse-pounding adaptation of the 1975 Oscar-winning film is lead by Emmy winners and The Bear stars Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, with a script by Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Adly Guirgis. Dog Day Afternoon is bold, brash, and deeply human - secure your tickets today. 

What is the play Dog Day Afternoon about?

Set against the sweltering, restless backdrop of the summer of 1972, Dog Day Afternoon recounts the true story of a botched bank robbery that spiralled into a media frenzy. Vietnam veterans Sonny and Sal, desperate and armed, step into a Brooklyn bank intending to walk out with quick cash. But within moments, they're surrounded, live on the news, and caught in a tense standoff that grips a nation.

As the crowd outside grows and the story unfolds in real time, the line between criminal and folk hero begins to blur. Will the cost be worth what Sonny and Sal hope to gain?

The History of Dog Day Afternoon

Dog Day Afternoon was inspired by a real-life event - an attempted bank robbery in Brooklyn on 22 August 1972 - that quickly captured the attention of the American media.

In 1975 the story was adapted into a movie directed by Sidney Lumet with a screenplay by Frank Pierson, adapted from a Life magazine article about the robbery titled “The Boys in the Bank”.

The film starred Al Pacino as Sonny and John Cazale as Sal and was widely praised for its raw, documentary-style realism and complex exploration of issues like media sensationalism, LGBTQ+ identity, and anti-establishment sentiment. Dog Day Afternoon was both a critical and commercial success, earning six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Pacino.

Its legacy continues today as one of the defining films of 1970s American cinema, and it was added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2009 for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” This new adaptation marks the first time this remarkable story has been told on stage.

Who are the cast of Dog Day Afternoon? 

Dog Day Afternoon stars Jon Bernthal as Sonny and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Sal, both making their Broadway debut and reuniting after their award-winning work together on screen in The Bear.

Bernthal is best known for his roles in The Punisher, The Walking Dead, and his Emmy Award-winning performance in The Bear. He has also appeared in acclaimed films such as King Richard, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Ford v Ferrari.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach is a two-time Emmy Award winner and Golden Globe nominee whose performance as Richie Jerimovich in The Bear has earned him critical acclaim. Moss-Bachrach’s other credits include Andor, Girls, and The Dropout, as well as his recent portrayal of Ben Grimm/The Thing in the reboot of Marvel’s The Fantastic Four.

Further casting is to be announced. 

Who are the creative team of Dog Day Afternoon?

The play is adapted by Stephen Adly Guirgis. Guirgis is the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of Between Riverside and Crazy. His other credits include Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train, The Motherf**ker with the Hat, and The Last Days of Judas Iscariot.

Rupert Goold directs. Goold is one of the UK’s most innovative and acclaimed theatre directors. He is the Artistic Director of London’s Almeida Theatre and a two-time Olivier Award winner. His West End and Broadway credits include King Charles III, Ink, and American Psycho the Musical. 

Tickets for Dog Day Afternoon at the August Wilson Theatre 

A high-stakes standoff. Two unforgettable performances. And a jaw-dropping true story that’s never been more relevant - Dog Day Afternoon will have you on the edge of your seat. This brand new adaptation of the award-winning, revolutionary film stars Emmy winners Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss Bacharach with a script from a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and direction from one of the UK's top directors. This promises to be the hottest show of the season - book your tickets for Dog Day Afternoon at the August Wilson Theatre, to see what happens when desperation meets defiance.