The original play "Unplugged Electric Guitar," written and directed by Danny Rocco, is concluding its inaugural run at the Hollywood Fringe Festival with final performances on June 20-21 at Thymele Arts in Los Angeles. Inspired by a real conversation Rocco had with his father, the play examines how people change when they let go of their dreams, using two pivotal breakfast conversations to explore themes of artistic sacrifice and mentorship.
In the first act, Tom (David Gueriera) convinces Danny (Danny Rocco) to abandon his writing pursuits. Years later, Danny is given the opportunity to mentor a young artist, forcing him to decide whether to pass down inspiration or the fear he himself received. Rocco describes the play as "the closest thing to a horror story I could imagine," highlighting the subtle, cumulative pressures that strip artists of their purpose.
Director Chivonne Michelle, returning to theater after a decade in television, was drawn to the play's exploration of a queer man navigating self-acceptance and societal misunderstanding of his career. "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," she said. The play resonates universally with anyone questioning their professional path.
Rocco began writing the play ten years ago to understand his relationship with his father, art, and middle age. While the process did not yield concrete answers, it deepened his empathy for his father and affirmed his own artistic journey. "For me, an artist who has not given up, to write a play about giving up is both spiritually important and dangerous," Rocco noted. He and Michelle focused on technique to separate the personal from the performance.
The play features Danny Rocco, David Gueriera, Nathan Norrington-Herr, and Jack Little. Remaining performances are Saturday, June 20 at 8 pm and Sunday, June 21 at 3 pm. Tickets are $20 (plus $3 service fee) and available through the Hollywood Fringe Festival website. The venue is Thymele Arts (California Room), 5481 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029. Run time is 90 minutes with intermission.
Rocco hopes audiences leave with greater compassion for working artists and those who make the difficult choice to leave their dreams behind. The play's universal themes of identity and sacrifice offer a poignant reflection on what it means to pursue—or abandon—one's calling.
