In July 2011, 18-year-old Jacob Dunne was a renegade, running amok, selling drugs, partying and always looking for a fight. But one night, when he joined a brawl, he threw a single punch that killed James Hodgkinson.

Jacob went to prison and, upon his release, nearly returned to the aggressive life he'd been living. But then James’ parents reached out with questions. What ensued was a restorative justice process between Jacob, David and Joan to repair the harm that was done. The true story is now dramatized in the play “Punch,” written by Tony Award-nominated playwright James Graham.

The play premiered in 2024 at the Nottingham Playhouse in the U.K. and began Broadway performances on Sept. 9, 2025.

In this episode, Graham, director Adam Penford and the cast of Manhattan Theatre Club’s new Broadway production tell host Ruthie Fierberg about what to expect from the drama and how they hope it will change the world.

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