Broadway's 'Dog Day Afternoon' Reimagines Queer Love Story Behind Infamous Bank Heist

The new stage adaptation of the 1975 crime drama explores the LGBTQ characters and themes with sensitivity for today's audiences.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:09pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract close-up image of shattered glass and glittering sequins, captured in dramatic, high-contrast studio lighting to convey the glamour and chaos of the Broadway stage production.The Broadway adaptation of the iconic 1970s crime drama 'Dog Day Afternoon' explores the LGBTQ themes and characters with a modern, empathetic lens.NYC Today

The 1975 film 'Dog Day Afternoon' was based on a real-life bank robbery in Brooklyn, with the perpetrators being a gay couple. Now, the story has been reimagined for the Broadway stage, co-starring Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the lead characters. The play explores the LGBTQ themes and characters with more nuance and authenticity compared to the original film, which was groundbreaking for its time.

Why it matters

The Broadway adaptation of 'Dog Day Afternoon' provides a fresh perspective on an iconic crime drama, highlighting the LGBTQ characters and their struggle for identity and acceptance in a time of widespread discrimination. The play's sensitive handling of these themes resonates with modern audiences and honors the legacy of the original film, which was one of the first mainstream Hollywood movies to feature an openly gay protagonist.

The details

The play, written by Stephen Adly Guirgis and directed by Rupert Goold, follows the botched bank robbery attempt by Sonny (Jon Bernthal) and his accomplice Sal (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). Unlike the film, the play uses Sonny's sexuality as a plot twist, revealing halfway through that he is gay and that his motive for the robbery is to provide funds for his transgender wife, Leon, to undergo gender-affirming surgery. The play's depiction of the LGBTQ characters is more nuanced and empathetic compared to the 'freaks' of 1970s cinema, with the characters being portrayed as vulnerable, desperate, and deeply human.

  • The original 'Dog Day Afternoon' film was released in 1975.
  • The Broadway adaptation of 'Dog Day Afternoon' is currently running at the August Wilson Theatre, with a scheduled run through September 6, 2026.

The players

Jon Bernthal

An American actor known for his roles in the FX series 'The Bear' and the Broadway production of 'Dog Day Afternoon' as the lead character, Sonny.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach

An American actor who co-stars with Jon Bernthal in the Broadway production of 'Dog Day Afternoon' as Sonny's accomplice, Sal. He is also known for his role in the FX series 'The Bear'.

Stephen Adly Guirgis

An American playwright who wrote the Broadway adaptation of 'Dog Day Afternoon', known for his gritty, street-wise dialogue.

Rupert Goold

A British theatre and film director who directed the Broadway production of 'Dog Day Afternoon'.

Esteban Andres Cruz

The actor who portrays Leon, Sonny's transgender wife, in the Broadway production of 'Dog Day Afternoon'.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“To be a homosexual — okay — it ain't a bad thing. If ya ask me, it's a lot harder, a lot more manly, to swim against the tide, to be true to oneself under the eyes of God above.”

— Sonny

“I got a gay next door walks my dog 3 times a week. I trust him with the keys to my apartment!”

— Detective Fucco

What’s next

The Broadway production of 'Dog Day Afternoon' is scheduled to run through September 6, 2026, providing audiences with the opportunity to experience this reimagined take on the iconic crime drama.

The takeaway

The Broadway adaptation of 'Dog Day Afternoon' offers a more nuanced and empathetic portrayal of the LGBTQ characters compared to the original film, honoring the legacy of the groundbreaking 1970s crime drama while resonating with modern audiences and their evolving perspectives on identity and representation.