Daddy Issues is presented by Charles Blondeau. Written and directed by David Goldyn.
Donald Moskowitz (James Seifert), a struggling actor, is trying to land a commercial for cat food. His homophobic father, Sid Moskowitz (Jonathan Fishman), comes to visit and tries to convince Donald to work for him at his company, Metal Balls, and quit acting. Sid also insists that he would like Donald to give him a grandson, despite the fact that Donald is gay. Out of desperation, Donald lies to his dad and tells him that he secretly had a son with his non-Jewish girlfriend, Mary Ellen, ten years ago. Ecstatic, Sid tells the news to the rest of the family.
Donald’s mom Marion Moskowitz (Pamela Shaw) and his grandmother, Grandma Moskowitz (Sherry Michaels), come to visit Donald to hear the news directly from him. Grandma even promises to double Donald’s inheritance as a gift for giving her a grandson. Donald agrees to bring over his son in a few days so he can meet his Jewish family. Where will Donald find a fake son and a fake ex-girlfriend in such a short period of time to please his family and get the inheritance?
Donald’s best friends Henrietta Hudson (Noa Lev–Ari) and drag queen-by-night Levi Krauss (Josh Nadler), both compete with each other to play the role of Donald’s ex-girlfriend, Mary Ellen. The neighbor downstairs, Johnny Walker (Solly Werner), becomes the “hired” ten-year-old son, and his mom (Hannah Battersby) ends up as one of the third Mary Ellens, a situation that gets Donald tangled up in a web of lies with no apparent solution.
This play is a comedy with references to the Jewish culture and the contrast of traditional values versus progressive lifestyles, a fact represented in the relationship between Donald and his father Sid. But mainly, the play highlights the importance of the family in the Jewish culture and the immense happiness that grandchildren bring to the grandparents.
Daddy Issues is a hilarious play with an 80’s flair set in Hell’s Kitchen, New York, NY. The cast is a brilliant mix of experienced and new talent that makes the audience laugh from beginning to end, a true gem in the heart of Hollywood.
Daddy Issues
Written and Directed by David Goldyn. Starring Hannah Battersby, Jonathan Fishman, Noa Lev–Ari, Sherry Michaels, Josh Nadler, James Seifert, Pamela Shaw, Solly Werner. Presented by Charles Blondeau. Creative team: Set designer Rody Villegas, lighting designer Katelan Braymer, costume designer Antonio Consuegra and graphic designer Phil Fab. The production stage manager is Jesse Fiene.
Dorie Theatre @ The Complex
6476 Santa Monica Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90038
(between Cole and Wilcox)
Performances: October 14–November 13
Fridays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 14 (Opening Night); Nov. 4; Nov. 11
Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Nov. 5; Nov. 12
Sundays at 5 p.m.: Nov. 6; Nov. 13
Tickets: daddyissuestheplay.com
