The Origins of COFFEE DATE
In a few short days, we’ll start revealing the production team and cast behind COFFEE DATE, my new play at the 2026 Hollywood Fringe Festival. Now feels like a good time to share how we got here.
I’ve never written a play. Until three years ago, I hadn’t written much fiction at all. In a previous life, I was a journalist, writing and editing for my old company CBR.com (Comic Book Resources, which I sold in 2016). But long-form fiction? Not something I did or believed I could do. It just didn’t feel like “how I worked.” At least, that’s what I told myself.
Three years ago, I got into a two-week actors intensive with IAMA Theatre in Atwater Village. There I met Christian Durso, a wonderful writer who led a two-day writing workshop as part of the program.
On day one he asked us to introduce ourselves and say whether we considered ourselves writers. When it was my turn, I talked about my journalism background, then explained why it didn’t count—no fiction, no daily writing, no focus, no training, etc.
Christian simply said, “You’re a writer.”
Since then, I’ve read a lot about writing, devoured plays and screenplays and actually written. In the past three years, I’ve written more than I ever did before, even as a journalist. Those early attempts weren’t great, but I learned a ton along the way.
Last August, I was in Edinburgh producing Natalie Grove’s JELLO BRAIN at the Fringe. One day, after seeing four shows in record heat, I ducked into a restaurant for dinner and a little quiet. I was hot, tired, overstimulated. All I wanted was to eat in peace.
That was not to be.
I found a great Indian spot and was seated next to two women having a quiet conversation, until halfway through their meal when one started watching videos on her phone at full volume. Then she passed it to her friend, so I got to hear everything twice.
I was hot. Hungry. Exhausted. Already grumpy. In my head, I started arguing with them: Can you please turn that down? You’re being rude.
I grew increasingly annoyed at the casual disregard for shared space – this sound trespass – and wanted to say something, but didn’t want to be “that guy.” I knew being grumpy this was probably a me problem. So I sat there and stewed, silently wishing mild IBS symptoms in their future.
At first it felt like a violation, someone else’s noise invading my thoughts, but then, against my will, it became material.
I started arguing their side. How would they respond if I actually spoke up? The counterargument in my head got more compelling. I was losing my own argument and it made me laugh. Suddenly, it felt like a scene: a grumpy guy fully embracing his inner Karen in public, only to be immediately put in his place.
That idea percolated for a week, until one free evening in Wrexham, Wales, I went to a pub and wrote. It started as a simple conversation in a coffee shop between a man and a woman. Twelve pages in, it turned into a meet-cute. I figured maybe it could work as a short play or a romcom sketch.
But I couldn’t turn my brain off. The coffee shop filled with characters. It wasn’t just Man and Woman anymore, it was Henry and Laura and Roger and Tizzy. Relationships took shape. Thoughts on dating in middle life poured in. I kept writing and three weeks later, during a trip to Napa to write at a friend’s vineyard, I had a 56-page vomit draft of a play called Your Phone Is Much Too Loud.
Seven months and nine drafts later, this naughty romcom called COFFEE DATE is in rehearsals with an incredible team and I’m still pinching myself. Everyone is deeply invested in this little story about finding love in middle life and they’re making it better, making me look so good. Christian came on as my dramaturg, guiding me through the first five drafts and once director Julia Christgau signed on, she took over that role, helping me refine the script into what it is today. Now I get to hear it out loud and fine-tune it to the voices of our cast.
It’s been an incredible start to rehearsals and it’s only getting better.
I’ll share more about COFFEE DATE in the coming weeks, but for now, follow COFFEE DATE on Instagram and come see the show at the Hollywood Fringe Festival this June. Seven performances at the Broadwater Main Stage. Hope to see you there.
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