Next spring, Broadway welcomes two powerhouse talents making their debuts: Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle and Emmy, SAG, and Golden Globe winner Ayo Edebiri. The duo will lead the first New York revival of David Auburn’s Proof, the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning play.
Directed by Tony Award winner Thomas Kail (Hamilton), the limited engagement begins previews March 31, 2026, at a Shubert theater to be announced, ahead of its official opening night on April 16, 2026. The production is co-produced by Kail and Mike Bosner.
The Story
Proof follows Catherine (Edebiri), the daughter of Robert (Cheadle), a brilliant but mentally ill mathematician who has just passed away. When a potentially groundbreaking mathematical proof is discovered among his papers, Catherine must grapple with questions of authorship, inheritance, and her own fragile mental health — all while navigating the complicated terrain of father-daughter love and legacy.
The Talent Behind the Curtain
The creative team includes:
- Kris Bowers (Oscar and Emmy-winning composer) – original music
- Teresa L. Williams – scenic design
- Dede Ayite (Tony winner) – costume design
- Amanda Zieve – lighting design
Why It Matters
Edebiri, fresh off her award-winning run in FX’s The Bear, called the text “rich, witty, and full,” adding she feels “deeply grateful” for the chance to step onto Broadway in such an acclaimed play.
For Cheadle, whose storied screen career spans Hotel Rwanda, Miles Ahead, and Marvel’s Iron Man and Avengers franchises, the play resonates personally: “As a father of two, both around the same age as Ayo, I’m excited (if not a little nervous) to dig into all the father/daughter messiness, not to mention the mental health challenges the family faces.”
Legacy of Proof
The original Broadway production ran from 2000 to 2003, starring Mary-Louise Parker and Larry Bryggman. It won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and three Tony Awards, including Best Play. Auburn later adapted the story into a 2005 film starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, Hope Davis, and Jake Gyllenhaal.
With two of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors stepping into these roles, this revival of Proof promises to be one of Broadway’s most anticipated events of 2026.
Additional casting and ticket details will be announced in the coming weeks.