Don Cheadle, Ayo Edebiri to shine in ‘Proof’ Broadway Revival
Academy Award nominated Don Cheadle and Emmy, Sag and Golden Globe winner Ayo Edebiri will make their Broadway debut next spring in the first New York Revival of David’s Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-Winning game “proof. The strictly limited involvement will be directed by Tony winner Thomas Kail and produced by Mike Bosner and Kail.
“Proof” starts previews on March 31, 2026, in a Shubert -Theater that must be announced, with opening night before April 16.
Edebiri, who recently won several prizes for her role as Sydney on FX’s ‘The Bear’, and currently again Emmy nominated for her work in the third season, said that she is ‘deeply grateful’ for the possibility of bringing the reputed game back to life.
“It is difficult to find the right words if you are talking about a text that is as rich and witty and full as that of David – what I can say is how deeply grateful I am for this incredible chance,” said Edebiri. “I can’t believe my luck that I will not only go to Broadway with this piece, but also get the chance to work with Don Cheadle, Tommy Kail and such a great team around us.”
Cheadle, known for its roles in “Hotel Rwanda”, “House of Lies” and Marvel’s “Iron Man” and “Avengers” franchises, found a deep bond with the source material that was related to his own experiences as a father.
“I could not be happier for the possibility of returning to the stage in this remarkable game with this level of talent that has been collected to get it done,” said Cheadle. “As a father of two, both around the same age as Ayo, I am excited (if not a bit nervous) to dig in all father/daughter, not to mention the challenges of mental health with which the family is confronted.”
The creative team for “proof” also includes Academy Award and Emmy-winning composer Kris Bowers (original music), Teresa L. Williams (Scenic Design), Tony winner Dede Ayite (costume design) and Amanda Zieve (Enlightenment design).
“Proof” tells the story of a brilliant but restless mathematician, his daughter and the blurry line between genius and madness. The game premiered off-broadway in 2000 before switching to Broadway, where it won the Pulitzer Prize 2001 for Drama and three Tony Awards, including Best Play. It was later adjusted in a film from 2005 by Auburn with Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, Hope Davis and Jake Gyllenhaal.
The upcoming projects of Edebiri include Luca Guadagnino’s “After the Hunt”, who premiered at the Venice Film Festival. The film also plays Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield.
The Credits of Cheadle include four decades, including “Devil in a Blue Dress”, “Crash” and his directing debut “Miles Nature”. His earlier stage work includes ‘Topdog/Underdog’ by Suzan-Lori Parks in the Public Theater and Regional Productions in the Guthrie and Goodman Theaters.
Extra casting, creative team members and ticket data for “proof” will be announced in the coming weeks.
The first illustration art by Alexis Frankin is below.
