The original play Unplugged Electric Guitar, written and directed by Danny Rocco, is concluding its inaugural run at the Hollywood Fringe Festival with two final performances on June 20 and 21 at Thymele Arts in Los Angeles. The production, which has garnered praise during its limited engagement, explores the emotional toll of relinquishing artistic dreams through two pivotal conversations.
Inspired by a real conversation Rocco had with his father, the play centers on Tom (David Gueriera) convincing his son Danny (Rocco) to abandon his writing career. Years later, Danny is given the opportunity to mentor a young artist, forcing him to decide whether to pass down inspiration or fear. Rocco describes the work as 'the closest thing to a horror story I could imagine,' examining the subtle erosion of purpose that leads artists to give up on their higher calling.
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. 'We all have deep moments of sadness when it comes to our work, trying to understand how it fits into our identities.'
Rocco began writing the play ten years ago as a means to understand his relationship with his father, art, and middle age. Performing the role, he felt exposed due to the personal details woven into the character. 'For me, an artist who has not given up, to write a play about giving up is both spiritually important and dangerous,' he explained. To separate himself from his real-life relationship, he 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 available at the Hollywood Fringe Festival website (https://www.hollywoodfringe.org). Remaining performances are Saturday, June 20 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 21 at 3 p.m. at Thymele Arts, 5481 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles.
Rocco hopes audiences leave with greater compassion for the complexity of being a working artist and for those who make the heartbreaking decision to leave their dreams behind. The play's exploration of success and identity resonates universally, challenging viewers to consider how their work defines them.
