The original play 'Unplugged Electric Guitar,' written and directed by Danny Rocco, is set to conclude its inaugural run at the Hollywood Fringe Festival with final performances on June 20 and 21 at Thymele Arts in Los Angeles. The emotionally tender show, inspired by a real conversation Rocco had with his father, uses two pivotal, intimate conversations to examine how people change when they let go of their dreams.
Over breakfast, Tom (played by David Gueriera) convinces Danny (Rocco) to give up his pursuit of writing. Years later, Danny is given the chance to mentor a young artist and must decide whether to pass down inspiration or the fear that was bestowed upon him. Rocco describes the play as 'the closest thing to a horror story I could imagine,' focusing on the slow, subtle paper cuts that drain artists of their higher purpose.
Award-winning director Chivonne Michelle, returning to theater after a decade of television acting, was drawn to the project by its exploration of what it means to be a successful working artist today. 'What excited me was exploring a queer man who's been on the journey of accepting himself and how the world accepts him, who then chose a career that society also doesn't understand,' she said. 'We all—not just artists—have deep moments of sadness when it comes to our work, trying to understand how it fits into our identities.'
Rocco began writing 'Unplugged Electric Guitar' ten years ago to better understand his relationship with his father, art, and middle age. Though the show didn't provide concrete answers, it deepened his empathy for his father and confirmed he is on the right path. 'For me, an artist who has not given up, to write a play about giving up is both spiritually important and dangerous,' Rocco noted. 'I felt very exposed taking on the role because there are so many personal details about my life in this character.'
The cast includes Danny Rocco, David Gueriera, Nathan Norrington-Herr, and Jack Little. Tickets are $20 plus a $3 service fee and are available through the Hollywood Fringe Festival website. Remaining performances are Saturday, June 20 at 8pm and Sunday, June 21 at 3pm, with a run time of 90 minutes including intermission at Thymele Arts, 5481 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles.
Rocco hopes audiences leave with more compassion for the complexity of being a working artist and for those who make the heartbreaking decision to leave their dreams behind. The play serves as a poignant reminder of the universal struggle to reconcile one's work with one's identity.
