Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle and Emmy, SAG and Golden Globe winner Ayo Edebiri will make their Broadway debuts next spring in the first New York revival of David Auburn’s Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Proof.” The strictly limited engagement will be directed by Tony winner Thomas Kail and produced by Mike Bosner and Kail.
“Proof” begins previews March 31, 2026, at a Shubert theater to be announced, with opening night set for April 16.
Edebiri, who recently won multiple awards for her role as Sydney on FX’s “The Bear,” and is currently Emmy-nominated again for her work in the third season, said she’s “deeply grateful” for the opportunity to bring the renowned play back to life.
“It’s hard to find the right words when talking about a text as rich and witty and full as David’s – what I can say is how deeply grateful I am for this incredible opportunity,” Edebiri said. “I can’t believe my good fortune that I not only get to go to Broadway with this play, but have the opportunity to work alongside Don Cheadle, Tommy Kail, and such an amazing team around us.”
Cheadle, known for his roles in “Hotel Rwanda,” “House of Lies” and Marvel’s “Iron Man” and “Avengers” franchises, found a deep connection to the source material that were related to his own experiences as a father.
“I couldn’t be happier for the opportunity to return to the stage in this remarkable play with this level of talent assembled to pull it off,” Cheadle said. “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.”
The creative team for “Proof” will also include Academy Award and Emmy-winning composer Kris Bowers (original music), Teresa L. Williams (scenic design), Tony winner Dede Ayite (costume design) and Amanda Zieve (lighting design).
“Proof” tells the story of a brilliant but troubled mathematician, his daughter and the blurred line between genius and madness. The play premiered off-Broadway in 2000 before transferring to Broadway, where it won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and three Tony Awards, including best play. It was later adapted into a 2005 film by Auburn that starred Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, Hope Davis and Jake Gyllenhaal.
Edebiri’s upcoming projects include Luca Guadagnino’s “After the Hunt,” which will premiere at the Venice Film Festival. The film also stars Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield.
Cheadle’s credits span four decades, including “Devil in a Blue Dress,” “Crash” and his directorial debut “Miles Ahead.” His past stage work includes Suzan-Lori Parks’ “Topdog/Underdog” at the Public Theater and regional productions at the Guthrie and Goodman theaters.
Additional casting, creative team members and ticketing details for “Proof” will be announced in the coming weeks.
The first illustration art by Alexis Frankin is below.
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