About the show
In this '80s-set comedy, a man tries to appease his parents by hiring his ten-year-old downstairs neighbor to play his son. After a successful limited run earlier this year, the show transfers Off-Broadway.
... Read moreIt is 1982 and Donald Moscowitz has overbearing parents. They disapprove of his choice of profession (actor), his flair for decorating (pastels), and his lifestyle (homosexual). The one thing that would make them happy is a grandchild. His solution: pay the kid downstairs to pose as his son. What could possibly go wrong?
"For a fun twist on family drama, Marshall Goldberg’s 'Daddy Issues' delivers. Approaching familial issues and expectations in a hilarious and heartfelt way, this comedy makes a powerful statement and has something for each member of the family." Full Review
"What makes 'Daddy Issues' so captivating is the cast’s agility within the comedic script. The writing itself is a pure joke machine...This nimble cast—under excellent direction by David Goldyn—knows exactly how to make the audience squirm with anxiety and then let the tension snap in moments of sheer comic genius. Beyond humor, Marshall Goldberg’s play taps into the core of what it means to be a father, mother, and son." Full Review
"A sitcom in the theater...If you are hungry for the genre and nostalgic for '90s television, you will have a blast...Although the jokes are sometimes predictable, the ensemble pulls it off and makes the show enjoyable. The duo of fiery Levi and phlegmatic Henrietta were my absolute favorite. Somewhere between not-so-original jokes about Henrietta’s weight and Levi’s femininity, those two created a comedic sidekick duo both caricature-like yet believable and therefore lovable." Full Review
"We welcome from the stage the bombardment of three Mary Ellen McGuires and calculatingly hysterical ethnic and general humor. There are a whole host of 'Daddy Issues:' circumcision, faygeleh interior designers, a drag queen and that that damned dropped bladder. All of which contribute to an evening of merriment...Certainly a few may find 'Daddy Issues' a bit dated, particularly through the lens of 2016, but for me it was funny and sweet theater.." Full Review
“You’ve seen a variation of this substitution plot device somewhere before, of course, either in movies, on TV, or on the stage. ‘Daddy Issues’ is the kind of play that should drench you in a storm of hilarity; there are laughs, of course, but instead of a storm we get a drizzle with an occasional thunderclap...It’s hard to find funny the inherently cruel situation of a guy trying to deceive his loving family; it slices painfully through the comedy's otherwise genial spirit.” Full Review
"With its cast of swishy gays, kvetching Jews, and drunken Irish, it serves as a veritable compendium of stage clichés, for easy reference. Drama students could also profitably use it as a case study in how not to construct a farce...Quite apart from its poor construction, Goldberg's script contains some of the lamest gags in town...The director, David Goldyn, seems to have encouraged his cast to behave like a cartoon, but, really, it's hard to know what else they could do." Full Review
for a previous production "A hilarious comedy of errors...David Goldyn skillfully directs and handles the moments of serious, real-life drama with care and tact, all the while never losing pace and keeping the audience with him to travel comfortably to the punch line...There is a warmth and genuineness to this family circle, intertwined with their comical craziness. Goldyn has filled this production with highly experienced and skilled actors to result in a formidable and polished production." Full Review
for a previous production "The play is sheer screwball silliness...This is a veritable festival of implausibility…David Goldyn directs this sitcom of a play very capably…Child actor, Austin Levine, steals the show. Levine is a natural con artist, suave and charming, adorable qualities in a ten year-old…'Daddy Issues' wants to be nothing but a good time. You will do yourself a favor by turning off your discerning mind before entering. Allow this zany comedy to entertain you with what it has to offer." Full Review
for a previous production "Goldyn has helped his actors to make strong individual character choices and really create the sense of family. He uses the small stage space wisely, making sure movements don’t become stagnant and boring. He has given the show a steady pace that makes it flow without too many pregnant pauses or noticeable lulls in action. If you a looking for a night full of laughter, 'Daddy Issues' has got you covered." Full Review
for a previous production "'Daddy Issues' is a sitcom waiting to happen…It is at times laugh-out-loud funny…The acting is uneven with Mr. Given stealing the show as the drag queen best friend. He is so good and Mr. David so amateurish that you wish the show was about Levi. The dialogue by Mr. Goldberg is like a whip and dangerously witty. The direction by Mr. Goldwyn is spot on. This is a writer and director to watch." Full Review
for a previous production "Yuval was either badly guided by director, David Goldyn, or bad at taking direction as his character is never fully 'camp' nor 'straight-acting'...Rossi’s performance is so one note that it is a relief to see him leave the stage...Pleasure can be found in the women of this cast...'Daddy Issues' is a good effort... If you don’t mind a little struggle in your entertainment...slap a few bucks down on this one." Full Review
for a previous production "11-year-old Alex Ammerman ironically stands out as the only cast member who plays it straight and still manages to be funny…The rest of the energetic cast takes the play WAY over the top...While there are tepid nods to the virtues of family loyalty, tolerance and being true to your creative calling, there’s not one heavy moment in this frothy, whipped gelatin dessert of a show. That said, there are a lot of funny moments in 'Daddy Issues.'" Full Review
for a previous production "'Daddy Issues' is a cringe-worthy comedy with easy jokes and a cheap reveal...Goldberg is able to capture a vital theme deep within his comedy but unfortunately 'Daddy Issues' is so implausible that any substance loses validity. There is an abundance of derisory plot holes that it begins to turn into a ridiculous parade of shenanigans...'Daddy Issues' is fun for froth and that's about it. But if you're looking for froth with a little bit of substance, you can certainly find it elsewhere." Full Review
for a previous production "What would a play look like if it were populated entirely by stereotypes? Probably a lot like 'Daddy Issues'…For something meant to be a lighthearted frolic, 'Daddy Issues' displays some pretty sad, even tragic, situations…The actors, under David Goldyn’s face-front-and-declaim direction, seem a little lost. The most confident presence onstage? Levine. The kid’s a natural, with crack timing, clear diction, and unforced cuteness. Better things await him, I hope." Full Review
See it if YOU LIKE COMEDY AND GOOD ACTING
Don't see it if YOU DONT LIKE TO LAUGH
See it if You want to laugh and be entertained. You don't take life so seriously. You have daddy issues or don't. You want to see a really good play.
Don't see it if You take life too seriously. You can't sit back and enjoy a funny entertaining play. You don't want to laugh.
See it if you would like to see a comedy dealing with what one would do to please the family while hiding their true self
Don't see it if gay stories are not your thing
See it if you love queer shows.
Don't see it if you hate queer shows.
See it if You like a fun loving show. Relatable in which you will find a character you probably have in your family for sure. Grandma's role is funny.
Don't see it if You hate predictability, you are expecting a serious show.
See it if You like comedies with humor similar to Three's Company type situations
Don't see it if You don't like to laugh!
See it if If you love a good old 80's sitcom this is the show for you! It reminded me of the Jewish version of LaCage!
Don't see it if You don't like a play about a sweet wholesome family and how a little white lie can really turn into a pink elephant in the room!
See it if you want an entertaining time with a story about what we do to please our family and how it backfires with hilarious laughs & a happy ending
Don't see it if you don't like gay theme plays or silly situations.
See it if You enjoy lighthearted fun and happy albeit predictable endings
Don't see it if You don't have a funny bone that needs to be tickled
See it if You enjoy a lighthearted comedy that may be silly with cliched characters, but ultimately funny and entertaining.
Don't see it if you cannot ignore the imperfections and just sit back, go with the flow and let yourself laugh.
See it if you like slapstick sitcoms that use misunderstandings as a basis for their humor
Don't see it if you're looking for high production values.
See it if you like family comedies w/a festive drag-queen thrown in for fun. Cute show, funny albeit very predictable. Give it a shot when it returns.
Don't see it if silly family humor bores you, and a simple theater-lite night-out for everyone wouldn't cut it. Not much thinking involved, just campy fun.
See it if You like Old Neil Simon shows
Don't see it if Like edgy humon
See it if you like a light, comedy. The acting is reasonable. The plot is unsurprising. The play is not too hard to watch.
Don't see it if you don't like a predictable play with stereotypical humor.
See it if You like TV sitcoms and exaggerated characterizations
Don't see it if You are discriminating about your humor
See it if you like to laugh and love drag! There are some genuine moments despite all the cliche
Don't see it if you want a complex, smartly written show
See it if you like over- acting and the discussion of "Daddy Issues". you like farces
Don't see it if you've seen this type of show before and don't like farces.
See it if You like campy plays with innuendos about gays, ethnic jokes and jokes about being overweight.
Don't see it if Can't take crass jokes.
See it if Lover of musicals
Don't see it if Looking for huge production numbers
See it if You want to consistently laugh for 90 minutes straight
Don't see it if You're looking to see a dark dramatic piece of theatre
See it if I went to see the first cast again, because they were fun! When I sat down, I found out that this show was cast with all their understudies!
Don't see it if I enjoyed the other cast better, but this cast was nice, too. I enjoyed the last script much more - this version was changed for the worse.
Also Fix the script. It should be more like a one-act play, unless the writ... Read more Read less
See it if ...you want to waste your time and money. I had high hopes for the continued run of the show from the spring. But, it was re-done poorly now
Don't see it if ...you expect to see an improved revival of a show. The show was made worse with dated, unfunny, poorly directed, + disconnected performance
Also It was a waste of time to see this show again. I thought I would be en... Read more Read less
See it if enjoy show with funny dialogue and fast paced ethnic humor. greatly improved since first viewing at davenport theater.
Don't see it if don't like ethnic comedy or jokes about the kid in the show having an operation as a baby
Cast & Creatives (14)
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