Dog Day Afternoon Broadway Play Opens to Negative Reviews

The Broadway adaptation of the 1975 film Dog Day Afternoon opened on March 30 at the August Wilson Theatre, drawing largely negative reviews for its shift from tense drama to comedic farce, despite strong performances from leads Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.

Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis and directed by Rupert Goold, the production reimagines the story of a botched 1972 Brooklyn bank robbery that escalated into a hostage crisis. In the play, Bernthal portrays Sonny, a desperate robber seeking funds for his lover's gender-affirming surgery, while Moss-Bachrach plays his volatile partner Sal. The ensemble includes Jessica Hecht as head teller Colleen, John Ortiz as NYPD Detective Fucco, and Spencer Garrett as FBI Agent Sheldon. Set in a sweltering Chase Manhattan Bank branch in Gravesend, the narrative unfolds over one chaotic afternoon, incorporating elements like negotiations with police, a growing crowd outside, and revelations about Sonny's personal life.

The original film, directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Al Pacino as Sonny, earned six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and won for Best Original Screenplay. It drew from...