I am mounting the world premiere production of 'Joke Hold' as part of the 2026 Hollywood Fringe Festival. This play is a satire about a comedy improv troupe and the new member who is either not what he seems or exactly that. As the group prepares for a high-profile showcase, political maneuvering and battles for status threaten to undermine their free-wheeling comic camaraderie.

This is an independent production that will play in a 42-seat theater in June for only five performances, so ticket sales will not offset expenses. Money raised will help pay the production costs, including theater rental, publicity, and stipends for personnel. Your support is crucial to bring this play to life and share its timely message with audiences.

I am producing this play, my first as a playwright after nearly 50 years of directing theater, because I believe it speaks to our time and deserves to be heard. The production will be simple and the budget tight—the play takes place in a rehearsal room, so the set will consist of only a few chairs. All our emphasis will be on telling this darkly funny and provocative story. No one will be profiting monetarily from this venture, but with your help, we hope not to lose enough to put a crimp in what promises to be a thrilling, entertaining project.