J. Todd Harris presents
a Developmental Workshop Production of
PARENTS IN CHAINS
Written by Jay Martel
Directed by Andy Fickman
Two Performances Only! Monday, September 30 & Tuesday, October 1
at the Whitley Theatre in Hollywood!
A new comedy about texts, treks, sex, and empty nests…
September 6, 2024…Hollywood, CA…J. Todd Harris (Heathers The Musical, The Kids Are All Right) is proud to present a developmental workshop production of a new comedy, PARENTS IN CHAINS, written by Emmy and Peabody award-winner Jay Martel and directed by Andy Fickman (Heathers The Musical, Reefer Madness). PARENTS IN CHAINS will perform on Monday, September 30 & Tuesday, October 1 at 8pm at the historic Whitley Theatre, 6555 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles.
In PARENTS IN CHAINS, six L.A. parents exchange texts as their 17-year-old daughters drive home from a weekend in San Francisco during the approach of a hurricane. The trip and the inclement weather bring out both the best and the worst in the parents as they confront, as a group, as couples, and as individuals, what it means to let go of their kids. By turns viciously comic and poignant, PARENTS IN CHAINS is a valentine to the most difficult, most failure-prone job in the world…parenting.
Casting will be announced shortly.
ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM
ANDY FICKMAN (Director) is an award-winning director, writer and producer, whose work spans film, television, and theater. He recently directed Heathers the Musical, which wrapped a record-breaking, sold-out run at The Other Palace in London, where it won multiple awards, and has completed three successful UK/Ireland tours. Before its transfer to the West End, the show had a successful New York run at New World Stages, where it was nominated for multiple Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Lucille Lortel awards. The show premiered in Los Angeles to sold-out, standing-room-only audiences. He recently completed a workshop of the musical adaptation of the hit film 13 Going on 30 in London. Fickman also directed Reefer Madness: The Musical in both Los Angeles and New York, which won him Best Director awards at the Ovation Awards and Drama Critics Awards, then directed and produced the Emmy award-winning filmed version for Showtime. His many film credits include the comedies She’s The Man, Parental Guidance, The Game Plan, Playing With Fire, You Again, and Race to Witch Mountain. Additionally, Fickman directed and executive produced two seasons of “Kevin Can Wait” for Sony TV and CBS. Other TV Credits include directing and executive producing: “The Crew” (Netflix), “No Good Nick” (Netflix), “Christmas Again” (Disney), the Emmy award winning “Liv And Maddie” (Disney), and the upcoming reboot of “The Wizards Of Waverly Place” (Disney).
JAY MARTEL (Playwright) has won Emmy, Peabody, Writers Guild of America, and American Comedy awards for his writing. He was a showrunner and head writer on “Key & Peele” in addition to many other comedy series, including “Alternatino,” “Teachers,” “Halfway Home,” and “Strangers With Candy.” His plays have been staged in New York and Los Angeles. His third novel, The Present, was published earlier this year, and the movie version, starring Greg Kinnear and Isla Fisher, was recently released worldwide. He’s written numerous movies, includingGet Hard, starring Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart, and is a contributor to The New Yorker, where his humor appears regularly. www.jaymartel.com
J. TODD HARRIS (Producer) is the founder and president of Branded Pictures Entertainment based in Los Angeles. He has produced or executive produced over 50 films, including Oscar-nominated Trial of the Chicago 7and The Kids Are All Right, along with five Sundance entries, including Bottle Shock. For stage, he produced Heathers The Musical and the musical adaptations of Doctor Zhivago and American Psychofor Broadway. He’s currently co-producing Soul Train and Buena Vista Social Club. He is a lead producer on soon-to-be unveiled Phenomenal Woman Maya Angelou and Death at a Funeral. He’s a 25-year member of the Motion Picture Academy and a Broadway League member 2015-2018. He has taught at Chapman University and Syracuse University’s LA campus. He earned his BA and MBA from Stanford University.
PARENTS IN CHAINS
Written by Jay Martel
Directed by Andy Fickman
Produced by J. Todd Harris
Performances: Monday, September 30 & Tuesday, October 1 at 8pm
The Historic Whitley Theatre
6555 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA
Ticket: $25 (Prices subject to change)
