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Hollywood Fringe Fest Presents OBVIOUSLY MICHAEL World Premiere, Now thru 6/29

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OBVIOUSLY MICHAEL is a new play currently being adapted from an original short story by LA's John Maidman. Michael, age six, doesn't like most people. They yell and they smell and they don't make any sense. In order to cope with the illogic of daily life, this precocious introvert constructs his own imaginary castle, filled with elaborate games and experiments. But despite his attempts to ward off dumb questions and irritating peers, they somehow manage to get under his skin.

"I'm blown away to hear anything I've written performed. Every time an actor reads a line, someone comes up with a new approach, or stylistic choice, I feel like people are showing me a level of respect I rarely show myself. It's very powerful," says playwright John Maidman while commenting on the experience of having his first play produced.

Music by composer Court Hoang accompanies Michael on his journey with the refrain: "you will grow up too soon/and you'll tell yourself to wait/now it seems so obvious/you don't have to be afraid"

"As soon as I read John's short story, OBVIOUSLY MICHAEL, I knew that we had to find a way to bring it to the stage. This was a big risk. We registered for the Fringe before even having a script, but it has been an exciting collaborative process to work on something so new with a group of such motivated and inspiring people," says Director/Producer Laura Steinroeder.

PRODUCTION TEAM: John Maidman (playwright), Laura Steinroeder (director/producer), Court Hoang (composer), Giselly Rodriguez (lighting designer), Kimberly Aldinger (costume designer), Dani Roach (graphic designer), Shannon Dickey (stage manager).

FEATURING: Zach Brown, Tori Gaines, Tanya Giang, Katie Kerr, Katie Lyman and Spencer Morrissey.

OBVIOUSLY MICHAEL runs tonight, June 13th @ 7pm, Wednesday June 19th @ 7pm, Saturday June 22nd @ 2:30pm, & Saturday June 29th @ 1pm.

Tickets are available at: http://hff13.org/1391. General Admission: $10. Show length: 50 minutes. Ages 10+.

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Sound Design - Top 3
1. Adam Fisher - The Lost Boys
38.4% of votes
2. Tony Gayle - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
12.5% of votes
3. Kai Harada - Ragtime
6.9% of votes

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