It’s two days out from the first preview of COFFEE DATE on the Main Stage at the Broadwater as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival and I’m filled with so much.
Nerves. Excitement. Joy. Gratitude. All of it at once.
Last August the seed of this play was planted while I was sitting in an Indian restaurant in Edinburgh, Scotland. Two women at the table next to me were watching videos loudly on their phones, passing them back and forth having the best time. I was grumpy after three terrible shows at the Fringe, drenched in sweat on one of the hottest days the city had seen in years and hungry. Hangry, if we’re being honest.
I wanted to say something. But I’m not an insane person and I knew how fragile I was in that moment. This was a me problem.
But then I played it out in my head. What if I did say something? What would they say back? It dawned on me: their argument for why they should be able to play videos at dinner was stronger than mine.
The idea percolated. A meet cute in a cafe. A guy complaining to a woman about her phone. Instead of being defensive, she’s curious about why he’s acting the way he is. A connection forms. He opens up, apologizes, shows some vulnerability. They agree to meet again under better circumstances.
That’s not what COFFEE DATE is. But it’s where it began. Two souls meeting under unusual circumstances. Isn’t that what dating is these days anyway?
What surprised me most is the evolution. It began as a simple scene in a coffee shop. Over ten drafts COFFEE DATE evolved into a farcical romcom with a heart. It goes extreme at times, as I think all great plays should, but it’s grounded in a real sense of hope.
What I learned about myself along the way may be the biggest surprise of all. I’ve spent the last ten years expanding my capacity for vulnerability, finding greater curiosity in others and believing in the everlasting possibility of love. Writing this play expanded my heart in ways I didn’t know were possible. Even in a play where humor and deflection come first.
Here’s the one thing I know for certain: if you don’t risk a broken heart, you have no chance at a full one.
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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.
It’s been a long time since I’ve updated this site, but there’s a lot to cover!
My new production company, Infuturo Entertainemnt, is the label under which I produce and with everything going on this year, I thought it was time to share the incredible logo created by my long time friend Jim MacQuarrie. He’s created multiple logos for me over the years and this is one of my favorites!
Infuturo’s first project was the play STUCK, by playwright Brandon Ciavarella, story by Sam Viavarella & Brandon Ciavarella, directed by Rosalind Bevan, starring myself, Sam and Kamar Elliott. We mounted five sold-out performances, at the 2025 Hollywood Fringe Festival, and was awarded the Hollywood Fringe Exchange Award with Fringe Italia Off.
In 2026, Infuturo Entertainment is working on a number of projects, including:
- COFFEE DATE, a new play written by me that will have its world premiere at the 2026 Hollywood Fringe Festival.
- BEHIND THE HERO, a unique audio original by Joe Casey (Ben 10, Big Hero Six and produced by myself.
- SKETCHY WHITE VAN, a short film that examines the role of corporate America in spying on its own employees. This thriller was written by me and will shoot at the end of this year.
And there’s a few more things in the hopper as well!
Keep an eye on these pages for updates on COFFEE DATE and much more!
On December 9th I finally did something I’ve wanted to do for a long time: buy an electric car. That’s the day I purchased a Tesla Model S 75.
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As Fall arrives and the temperatures begin to cool a bit, it always brings with it cravings for warmer, heartier foods. One of my favorite and easiest meals I like to make at this time of year is home made slow cooker chili.
I made my first batch of chili probably 8 years ago, thanks to my friend Beau Yarbrough. He posted a basic recipe for Chili on Facebook that didn’t intimidate me. Here’s that recipe.
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Over the past six months I’ve taken a renewed interest in photography. I’ve spent most of my time with my new Canon 7D, traveling around the world trying to capture those moments one at a time.
In addition to the Canon, I’ve been itching to play with my (new to me, but) old Widelux F7 film camera, built in 1978.
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Last night I had the opportunity to see one of my favorite shows on television – “America’s Got Talent” – taped live at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood!
Sharon, Kevin and I at the conclusion of the America’s Got Talent Season 11 finale.
I’ve been watching the show since season two and seen it taped twice before, but this time was different. For one, Season 11 has showcased it’s greatest selection of talent ever! Secondly, this time I was going to see the show taped as a guest of my friend Kevin, who’s worked with AGT judge Howie Mandel. Kevin’s also a massive AGT fan as well, so the two of us and my sister Sharon made our way to the Dolby theater to see the final 10 acts of Season 11 give the performance of their lives for an opportunity to win $1 million dollars and a Las Vegas show!
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25 years ago, I attended my very first Los Angeles Clippers NBA game and I’ve been a basketball fan ever since.
Around that time I also got my first personalized license plate: LA CLIPR. It lived proudly on my car until 2001. At that time I was broke and had to buy a new car – talk about bad timing. When it came time to decide whether or not to transfer the plates from my previous car — which was a lease in my Father’s name (this detail will be important later) — I opted not to. I just couldn’t afford anything extra.
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I made a deal with myself at the end of June to get more consistently active and it’s really been great so far.
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In a couple of weeks I plan to go out to the desert for some low light/night time photography. I haven’t done a lot of that yet, so I felt I needed some practice.
My sister Liz & Brother-In-Law Randy run Symphony Pools, a respected Southern California pool designer/builder. This is the pool they built in the backyard of their home in Simi Valley.
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