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Rollicking comedy ‘Daddy Issues’ asks ‘how far will a gay guy go to
please his Jewish parents?’ in West Coast premiere at the Complex
‘It would be meshugenah to miss it’ — Orlando Weekly
LOS ANGELES (REVISED September 22, 2022) — How far will a gay guy go to please his controlling Jewish parents? Charles Blondeau presents the West Coast premiere of an exuberant, off-Broadway screwball comedy inspired by a true event. Written and directed by David Goldyn, Daddy Issues opens on October 14 for a five-week run through November 13 at the Complex in Hollywood.
Mr. and Mrs. Moscowitz are in denial about their son’s gay lifestyle, disapprove of his career choice, and question his flair for decoration. To get his family to stop kvetching, Donald needs a son. With the help of his ballsy best friend Henrietta and rising drag queen Levi, Donald hires the ten-year-old kid from downstairs. What could go wrong?
“This play was inspired by a real-life incident I had with my own overbearing parents,” explains Goldyn. “All the characters are based on real people. Although many of the most outrageous lines may sound like they belong in a sit-com, they actually came straight out of the mouths of my mother, father and grandma.”
Daddy Issues, which starts out slow, picks up steam, then snowballs into hilarious farce, enjoyed a sold-out run at off-Broadway’s Theatre at St Clements, where the Huffington Post called it “[a] frothy, whipped gelatin dessert of a show,” and the Times Square Chronicles declared it “laugh out loud funny.” Reviewing a subsequent production in Florida, the Orlando Weekly wrote “a treat no matter which team you play for… the rare show that would go over equally well in a gay nightclub and Miami retirement home… it would be meshugenah to miss it.”
In the West Coast premiere, James Seifert stars as Donald, a gay “everyman” who can only react to all the craziness going on around him. Donald’s homophobic father, Sid, is played by Jonathan Fishman, while Pamela Shaw takes on the role of Marion, Donald’s funny, somewhat screwy mother who loves to quote Reader’s Digest. Noa Lev–Ari and Josh Nadler play his best friends, zaftig Henrietta and drag queen-by-night Levi. Rounding out the cast are Sherry Michaels as Grandma, Hannah Battersby as Donald’s downstairs neighbor, and Solly Werner as precocious 10-year-old Johnny Walker.
The creative team for Daddy Issues includes set designer Rody Villegas, lighting designer Katelan Braymer, costume designer Antonio Consuegra and graphic designer Phil Fab. The production stage manager is Jesse Fiene. Daddy Issues is presented by Charles Blondeau.
Performances of Daddy Issues take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. from Oct. 14 through Nov. 13. There will be one additional performance, on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. VIP tickets (first row) are $50; general admission is $35; use promo code “Senior,” “Jewish” or “Gay” to receive a $5 discount.
The Complex is located at 6476 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90038.
To purchase tickets and for more information, go to daddyissuestheplay.com.
Details for Calendar Listings
‘Daddy Issues’
WHAT:
Charles Blondeau presents the West Coast premiere of the off-Broadway hit production Daddy Issues. How far will a gay guy go to please his overbearing Jewish parents? Mr. and Mrs. Moscowitz are in denial about their son’s gay lifestyle, disapprove of his career choice, and question his flair for decoration. To get his family to stop kvetching, Donald needs a son. With the help of his ballsy best friend Henrietta and rising drag queen Levi, Donald hires the ten-year-old kid from downstairs. What could go wrong? “Laugh out loud funny” — Times Square Chronicles. “The rare show that would go over equally well in a gay nightclub and Miami retirement home… it would be meshugenah to miss it.” — Orlando Weekly.
WHO:
• 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
WHEN:
Performances: October 14–November 13
• Thursday at 8 p.m.: Oct. 20 ONLY
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 14 (Opening Night); Oct. 21; Oct. 28; Nov. 4; Nov. 11
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 15; Oct. 22; Oct. 29; Nov. 5; Nov. 12
• Sundays at 5 p.m.: Oct. 16; Oct. 23; Oct. 30; Nov. 6; Nov. 13
WHERE:
Dorie Theatre @ The Complex
6476 Santa Monica Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90038
(between Cole and Wilcox)
TICKET PRICES:
$30–$50
• VIP Seating (1st row): $50
• General admission: $35
• Senior, Jewish, Gay discount: $30 (use promo code “Senior,” “Jewish” or “Gay”)
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