‘Dog Day Afternoon’ Playwright Briefly Kept Out of Broadway Rehearsals
The New York Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- During the preview period of the Broadway adaptation of "Dog Day Afternoon," playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis was barred from the August Wilson Theater for three days following a heated dispute with lead producer Mark Kaufman.
- The conflict arose amid ongoing revisions to the show, which included changes to its running time and tonal shifts from comedic elements to a more suspenseful atmosphere, reflecting the original 1975 film.
- The production team emphasized that such passionate disagreements are common in creating new plays, noting that Guirgis had finalized the script after incorporating all changes during previews.
- Both the playwright and producers expressed commitment to maintaining a respectful environment and pride in the current state of the production despite the tensions.
- The exact cause of the dispute remains unclear, but it highlights the challenges and stresses involved in bringing a new Broadway show to the stage.
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