The Motherf**ker with the Hat at Odyssey Theatre

Jackie, fresh out of prison, enrolled in Alcoholics Anonymous, and newly employed, spots a mysterious hat in the room he shares with his high school girlfriend, Veronica . . . that ain’t his hat! All h*ll breaks loose when Jackie accuses Veronica of having an affair that she strongly denies. Jackie’s attempts to resolve his relationship woes by involving his AA sponsor and cousin, only serves to expand the chaos. This story dives into the lives of people within a unique American subculture, exposing how they navigate the messy, raw realities of personal relationships. At some point, we’ve all been there: trusting, only to feel betrayed; depending on someone, only to feel abandoned; loving, only to see it fade—or worse, turn into indifference. It challenges us to confront our cultural biases, questioning why we so easily judge others in different subcultures as not just wrong, but inherently bad. Our 2025 revival of THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT hits harder than ever, demanding we reflect on our shared humanity in a fractured world.

Five powerhouse performers take the stage in a bold new revival of Stephen Adly Guirgis' electrifying play, The Motherf**cker with the Hat. This cast brings humor, heart, and raw intensity to a gripping story of love, commitment, and redemption. With commanding performances and razor-sharp dialogue, the production reimagines Guirgis' classic for today’s 2025 enlightened audiences, delivering a theatrical experience that is as gut-wrenching as it is genuine to our world today. Why must personal relationships hurt so much?

"Highly recommended for adults who love a great night at the theater. Outrageously amusing, insightful. This two-act dramedy has a refreshingly raw realist take on marginalized characters … full of sparklingly witty repartee and dialogue, especially as rendered by Carlos Moreno Jr., who steals every scene he’s in as Cousin Julio. Every one of this production’s spot on performances are flawlessly rendered by top notch thesps, and the quality of the acting may be amplified by … director Jolie Oliver. It is a rewarding theatrical experience - great writing, acting – and laughing your ass off" – Hollywood Progressive

Guirgis reminds us, “When you’re young, your friends really matter. They’re like your tribe, then when you get older things become more complicated, and the rules we’re taught as children don’t necessarily carry forth into adulthood. You might have a friend who is totally loyal to you, but is a scumbag to women. We don’t necessarily all fit into a tidy package, and the play is a story about finding a morality or a manner of being that works for you."

Directed by Jolie Olive and starring Lodric D. Collins, Alex Désert, Jordan Marinov, Carlos Moreno, Jr, Joie Oliver - The Motherf**ker with the Hat runs at 8 p.m. Thursdays – Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays through August 31, 2025. 

Authors

• Stephen Adly Guirgis