Punch

 Punch
Manhattan Theatre Club
The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
September 27, 2025

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

James Graham’s play Punch is a gripping and emotional story.  It is based on Jacob Dunne’s book Right from Wrong, where he shares the events leading up to and following one action that changed his life.  Mr. Graham skillfully structured his play to keep the audience on the edge of their seat, constantly wanting more information.  Director Adam Penford, who also directed the U.K. production, builds the tension in Act I, then emotionally opens the characters in Act II. 

We first meet Jacob (played by Will Harrison) as he is telling the story of a night of heavy drinking and drug use.  He is irresponsible and pompous.  A few times in his telling of the story the lights change, revealing a circle of his peers.  He continues to tell the story, but he is humble and self-aware.  This back and forth continues and we realize we are experiencing Jacob’s emotional state at the time of an event, juxtaposed to his remorse and guilt when sharing it in a group therapy session.  Jacob tells of his upbringing, and we meet his mother (played by Lucy Taylor).  She is warm and caring.  Jacob starts to have trouble in school, and he is diagnosed as dyslexic and on the spectrum.  He gets involved with a wild group from the neighborhood.  One night, when Jacob is nineteen, after drinking and partying, he steps in to defend a friend outside a bar.  Jacob knocks out a young man with one punch.  When this young man, James, dies from a brain injury, Jacob is convicted of manslaughter. 

Will Harrison & Lucy Taylor
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Will Harrison stunningly portrays the multiple sides of this very complex character.  The younger Jacob is loving and gentle.  As an adolescent, he faces challenges and makes poor choices.  As a teen, Jacob is irresponsible and violent.  After he serves his prison term, Jacob struggles with guilt and self-acceptance.  He works hard to get his life on a productive track.  Mr. Harrison draws the audience in.  They see the recklessness that leads to that one heinous act, yet never stop caring about him and his wellbeing. 

Lucy Taylor plays both Jacob’s mother and his parole officer.  She instantaneously shifts between these two very distinct characters.  Both have a strong relationship with Jacob.  Ms. Taylor and Mr. Harrison develop these relationships beautifully. 

Victoria Clark & Sam Robards
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Victoria Clark and Sam Robards play Joan and David, the parents of James, the victim of Jacob’s punch.  The conflict in their relationship lies in the way they face this tragedy, yet their commitment to one another is unwavering.  Ms. Clark portrays Joan as warmhearted and persistent.  She prods her husband to face their grief in ways he cannot.  David gently resists, holding his ground even though he knows it is what she needs.  Ms. Clark and Mr. Robards brilliantly handle these scenes with tenderness and devotion.  They are wonderful together, illustrating the strength and tenacity it takes to face their pain.  

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

The ensemble work in this production is phenomenal.  All the actors, except Mr. Harrison, play numerous roles.  The action is seamless, which holds the non-sequential sections of this story tightly together.  In addition to the actors previously mentioned, there are strong performances by Camila Canó-Flaviá, Cody Kostro, Piter Marek, Kim Fischer, Jacob Orr, and Amber Reauchean Williams. 

The tone changes and the pace shifts in Act II.  The characters work fearlessly to understand and resolve the traumatic actions they caused and experienced.  It is an emotional powerhouse. 

Punch is playing at Manhattan Theatre Club’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre through November 16.  You must see this play! 

Domenick Danza