[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A Hollywood Fringe Festival interview with Michael Dukakis on Punish Me, his acclaimed autobiographical play about toxic relationships, survival, and self-discovery.
I was lucky enough to see Punish Me in January this year when it premiered at The Hudson Theatre. For a show that was still being tweaked a little, I thought it was absolutely flawless! Funny, dark in places, and ultimately a very creative reflection of the human experience – one man’s life in L.A. and his fight to stay here. I highly recommend Punish Me. Add it to your Hollywood Fringe schedule!
Read the NoHo Arts Punish Me review>>
Since I had already reviewed Punish Me, I wanted Michael to share his thoughts on this truly brilliant show.
Hi Michael. After a brilliant opening in January of this truly wonderful play, why the Hollywood Fringe run?
Thank you for the kind words. We had a wonderful run a few months ago and were eager to extend it. Unfortunately, one of our six cast members had a scheduling conflict, which meant we needed a little time to find the right replacement before jumping back on stage.
The upside? The break gave us an opportunity to further develop and enhance the production. It also gave us the chance to make our Hollywood Fringe debut, which felt like perfect timing.
With Pride Month and the largest performing arts festival in Los Angeles both happening in June, Hollywood Fringe seemed like the ideal place to celebrate both. Sometimes the universe accidentally has good timing.
The story is autobiographical, and you play one of the two lead roles. How does it feel to be so open about your life, and how strange is it to act out scenes that actually took place even if you’ve dramatized them?
If I had to put a percentage on it, I’d say about 60% of the events are true, and 40% are fictionalized. Life provided the material; theater helped organize the chaos.
Life provided the material; theater helped organize the chaos.
What feels most empowering is the opportunity to share vulnerable truths openly. We all wear different masks throughout our lives, so I cherish those rare moments when we can be brutally honest without fear of shame or victim-blaming.
In telling this story, I’ve tried to expose not only the narcissist’s harmful behavior, but also my own mistakes and the circumstances that led me to tolerate—and even attract—extremely toxic people into my life.
It can be strange at times because I’m revisiting moments that were genuinely triggering. But it’s also incredibly liberating. I’m able to tell an important story while giving it my own ending.
My fellow cast members and I experience a wide range of emotions every time we perform this piece, and I think audiences connect with many of those emotions as they follow these seven characters through their journey. Hopefully, they leave feeling a little less alone—and maybe a little more self-aware.
Hopefully, they leave feeling a little less alone—and maybe a little more self-aware.
In the same sense, has writing the play, and particularly acting in it, been cathartic? As a character, you certainly seemed calm by the end of the play.
I’m glad you caught that. I’ve been researching narcissistic personality disorder for the past nine years, and it has been incredibly cathartic to share some of my wildest experiences through this work. I have a tendency to transform traumatic events into art—it’s one of the ways I process and make sense of life.
There’s also a profound sense of relief in finally putting this story into writing. Now it exists outside of me, ready to connect with audiences and, hopefully, travel the world on its own. That feels both therapeutic and deeply rewarding.
This play is very intimate. How difficult was that for you?
During the first run, it was definitely challenging because I’d never attempted anything like this before.
Now, however, it feels much easier. My fellow lead actor, Jose Eduardo Moreno, is an incredible professional who brings such wonderful energy to the production that it naturally elevates my own performance. The rest of our cast and crew are equally talented, hardworking professionals whose dedication inspires me every day.
What’s especially meaningful is that they genuinely believe we’re telling an important story—one that deserves to be adapted into a film. Their enthusiasm and investment in the project give me the confidence to keep moving forward and overcome whatever obstacles come our way.
I strongly believe it takes a village to create something meaningful. I do my best to support the team, compensate everyone fairly, and share in the play’s success. At the same time, I want the process to be enjoyable. I want us to create great memories, meaningful connections, and a kind of artistic family.
I love doing this work, and I believe we offer audiences the safest possible way to experience what a relationship with a narcissist can feel like—with all its highs, lows, twists, and emotional whiplash—without actually having to date one…
I loved the play, and I’m certain I wasn’t the only one. What has been the audience reaction to Punish Me?
We’ve had a lot of laughs, gasps, and strong emotional reactions—which, for theater artists, is basically the equivalent of winning the lottery.
After many performances, audience members approached us to share how moved, inspired, or seen they felt by the story. Overall, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
That said, we did receive some negative feedback from a couple of people—mostly narcissists. Haha. Honestly, I would’ve been more concerned if we hadn’t, as the subject matter is complex.
Narcissistic personality traits affect many relationships, yet conversations about them can be difficult because people rarely see themselves as the problem. One of the themes explored in the play is how easily we can become trapped in our own narratives and blind to the impact our actions have on others.
I think that’s part of what makes the story resonate so strongly. It invites reflection, regardless of which side of the relationship someone identifies with.
Where does this play go from here?
I want us to keep performing this play until we find the right film producer to bring it to the screen.
The good news is that I’ve already completed the screenplay, so the project is packed and ready for its next adventure whenever the right opportunity arrives.
For now, my focus is on continuing to share the story with live audiences and expanding its reach. My goal is to take the play to London and New York next, introducing it to new communities and continuing the conversation it has sparked.
What’s next for you as an actor and a writer?
I hope the next big step is portraying this character in the film adaptation. Having lived with this story for so long, it would be incredibly rewarding to continue its journey from the stage to the screen.
I’ve also developed treatments for Punish Me 2 and Punish Me 3, so there’s certainly room for the story to grow. Who knows? Maybe one day it evolves into a limited series.
Beyond Punish Me, I’ve written another screenplay that has received numerous nominations and won several annual screenplay competitions around the world. That’s a project I’m equally passionate about bringing to the screen because its mission is to raise awareness about child abuse.
For me, storytelling is at its most powerful when it not only entertains but also creates opportunities for empathy, awareness, and positive change.
You have a female director, Monique Sorgen. Was it a conscious choice to choose a woman director, or was it more about the connection she had to the material and to you?
Monique and I first connected through this story years ago when I was developing short scripts in one of her UCLA classes.
Our creative relationship grew naturally from those early conversations, and I’ve been fortunate to benefit from her insight and guidance throughout the process.
That said, I think our collaboration also reflects a broader pattern in my career. Many of my collaborators have been women, and I have tremendous admiration and respect for female creators, mentors, and educators. I often find they bring a unique combination of empathy, emotional intelligence, and thoughtful perspective to the creative process.
At the same time, I enjoy working with creators of all backgrounds. What matters most is collaborating with people who create a safe, supportive environment—one that encourages openness, vulnerability, and experimentation.
When artists feel comfortable taking risks without fear of judgment, that’s usually when the most authentic and compelling work emerges. That’s also when the magic happens.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about the play to encourage audiences to come see Punish Me?
Punish Me is hot, sexy, thrilling, emotionally intense, and surprisingly funny. It’s the kind of show that can make you laugh, cringe, gasp, and reflect—all within the same scene.
We’re experimenting with a style of theater that appeals not only to theatergoers but also to film lovers, which is why the production has such a cinematic feel.
If you’ve ever crossed paths with a narcissist, a pathological liar, or a con artist, parts of this story may feel very familiar. The play explores those experiences with honesty, passion, and a healthy dose of humor.
We hope audiences leave feeling entertained, empowered, and perhaps inspired to view some of their own experiences from a completely different perspective.
At the very least, we can promise an unforgettable ride filled with surprises, laughter, a few shocking moments, and hopefully a conversation you’ll still be having on the drive home.
Thank you, Michael and have a great Fringe!!!
Tickets:
https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/13911
When:
Sundays, June 7, 14 and 21 at 7:30pm
Where:
The Hudson Backstage
6539 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood
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