PUNISH ME For more info click links at right
—> PUNISH ME
A PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER BY MICHAEL DUKAKIS
DIRECTED BY MONIQUE SORGEN
WORLD PREMIERE
WEDNESDAYS AT 7:30PM
JANUARY 28 – FEBRUARY 25, 2026
HUDSON BACKSTAGE THEATRE
Punish Me, a new play by Michael Dukakis, will have its world premiere at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Hollywood January 28–February 25. Directed by Monique Sorgen, the cast of this new psychological thriller will feature (in alphabetical order) Brianna Bell, Jaiden Blessing, Michael Dukakis, Dylan Griner, and Anuradha Senevi. Opening is set for Wednesday, January 28, at 7:30pm, and performances will continue Wednesdays at 7:30pm through February 25. Tickets are available online at www.onstage411.com/punishme.
A screenwriter struggling to make it in Hollywood becomes trapped in an increasingly abusive relationship with a narcissist who threatens both his career dreams and his legal status in America. The play explores the complexity of toxic relationships, narcissism, and obsession. It includes adult themes and simulated sex. Inspired by true events. Running time is 95 minutes with no intermission.
Lighting design is by Steve Pope, sound design and original music is by Paul Yorke, intimacy coordinator is Annie Reznik, and visual artist is Nick Lambrou. Stage manager and assistant director is Diego Salazar Lira. Punish Me is produced by Michael Dukakis with associate producers Yiota Pampalou and Katerina Dimakopoulou.
Monique Sorgen is a French American writer-director with a degree in theater from UCLA. She is a fellow in the Sony Directors Program, BlackMagic Collective, and in the Alliance of Women Directors’ Directing the Actor Lab. She directed award-winning comedy films Sorry, Not Sorry; Rock A Bye Baby; and Lying is Complicated, as well as the award-winning drama Random Check and the award-winning web-series Codependent Socks! — most of which she also wrote. She has worked as a screenwriter on both studio and independent projects and is currently in post-production on the feature film One Day in Sedona, and on her Vertical Microdrama debut My Hot Ex-Boyfriend Moved Next Door.
Michael Dukakis is a highly trained and versatile actor-writer with 15 years of experience across film, television, and theatre. A graduate of the Greek Art Theatre with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, he further honed his craft at the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, where he was admitted on scholarship. He later expanded his creative skills by earning a writing certificate from UCLA. As a writer he has developed a distinctive voice, crafting plays and screenplays that confront significant societal issues. His work has earned notable acclaim, garnering 27 nominations and 15 wins at various annual writing competitions.
General admission is $35 and $29 for students and seniors. Early Bird tickets are available for $25 through December 31. Hudson Backstage Theatre is located at 6539 Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, 90038.
