Matt Reviews: GIANT, DOG DAY AFTERNOON & DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Matt dives into three very different theatrical experiences: the provocative West End transfer Giant, the uneven stage adaptation of Dog Day Afternoon, and a bold new revival of Death of a Salesman. From thorny questions of artistic responsibility and antisemitism to misjudged tonal shifts and a reinvigorated American classic, this episode explores what works, what doesn’t, and how each show may factor into the Tony Awards race.Important Links* Ticket Link: Revue-ing the 2025/2026 Season at Green Room 42* Broadway Breakdown Discord* Broadway Breakdown SubstackTimestamps* 0:00 – Intro + listener review + housekeeping* 3:00 – Giant setup: origins, creative team, and premise* 7:00 – Roald Dahl controversy + central dramatic conflict* 13:00 – Themes: antisemitism, accountability, and rhetoric* 19:00 – Performances (John Lithgow, Aya Cash)* 23:30 – Critiques: pacing, depth, and dramatic resolution* 27:00 – Tony Awards outlook for Giant* 29:30 – Dog Day Afternoon setup: true story → film → stage* 33:00 – Tonal misfire: comedy vs. drama* 38:00 – Character breakdown: Sonny, Leon, and adaptation choices* 43:00 – Direction, design, and staging issues* 47:30 – Performances (Jon Bernthal, Ebon Moss-Bachrach)* 50:30 – Tony Awards outlook for Dog Day Afternoon* 52:30 – Death of a Salesman setup: revival context* 55:00 – Direction and staging (Joe Mantello)* 57:30 – Performances (Nathan Lane, Laurie Metcalf, Christopher Abbott)* 59:00 – Tony Awards outlook + final thoughtsListener discussion questions* When a play tackles controversial real-life figures (like Roald Dahl in Giant), how much responsibility does it have to provide emotional clarity versus simply raising questions?* Can radically reinterpreting tone—like turning Dog Day Afternoon into a broad comedy—ever justify itself, or does it inherently risk undermining the story?* With Death of a Salesman revived so frequently, what makes a new production feel essential rather than redundant to you? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com