Did Dog Day Afternoon Get Away With It?
vulture.com • • entertainment
Key Points:
- The new Broadway production of Dog Day Afternoon, directed by Rupert Goold and written by Stephen Adly Guirgis, offers a fresh, actor-driven adaptation that diverges from the 1975 Sidney Lumet film while retaining the story's heart and political edge.
- Jon Bernthal stars as Sonny Amato, delivering a charismatic and sincere portrayal that contrasts with Al Pacino's iconic film performance, supported by Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Sal, highlighting the complex relationship between the characters.
- The play emphasizes Sonny's queer identity and his motivation for the bank robbery—to fund his partner's gender-reassignment surgery—bringing renewed relevance amid contemporary discussions on trans rights and healthcare crises.
- Guirgis's script infuses the story with humor, color, and a broader theatrical style, while maintaining a no-nonsense moral core and empathy for marginalized individuals fighting systemic oppression.
- Dog Day Afternoon runs at the August Wilson Theatre, serving as a poignant reminder of love's political nature and the enduring struggles of those living on society's fringes.
