LOS ANGELES — 'Unplugged Electric Guitar,' an original play by internationally produced playwright and director Danny Rocco, is concluding its first run at the Hollywood Fringe Festival with two final shows on June 20-21 at Thymele Arts. The play, inspired by a real conversation between Rocco and his father, delves into the emotional shifts that occur when individuals let go of their dreams.
The story unfolds over two intimate conversations. In the first, Tom (David Gueriera) persuades Danny (played by Rocco) to abandon his writing aspirations. Years later, Danny mentors a young artist and must decide whether to pass on inspiration or the fear he once received. Rocco describes the play as 'the closest thing to a horror story I could imagine,' focusing on the subtle, cumulative blows that drain an artist of purpose.
Award-winning director Chivonne Michelle, returning to theater after a decade in television, was drawn to the play's exploration of identity and societal acceptance. '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. 'It's a universal experience to ask yourself if you're less than because of the work you do.'
Rocco began writing the play ten years ago to better understand his relationship with his father, art, and middle age. While the live production hasn't provided all the answers, it has deepened his empathy for his father and affirmed his own path. 'For me, an artist who has not given up, to write a play about giving up is both spiritually important and dangerous,' he noted. To separate himself from the character, Rocco and Michelle revisited foundational acting techniques they learned together in school.
The cast includes Danny Rocco, David Gueriera, Nathan Norrington-Herr, and Jack Little. Tickets are $20 (plus $3 service fee) and available through the Hollywood Fringe Festival website. Remaining performances are Saturday, June 20 at 8pm and Sunday, June 21 at 3pm. The 90-minute show includes an intermission at Thymele Arts, 5481 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles.
The play's significance lies in its universal themes: the heartbreaking decision to leave dreams behind and the complexity of being a working artist. Rocco hopes audiences leave with greater compassion for those who make that choice.
