A New York Revival of John Patrick Shanley’s DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA

What was meant to be an intimate workshop of a powerful classic work evolved into a revival at one of New York’s landmark theaters. Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, written by Oscar and Tony award-winner, John Patrick Shanley, was initially performed as an arts event for an invited group in a theatre in Anaconda, Montana.

However, the raw energy and talent gained the attention of native New Yorker and Executive Producer, Dr. Cynthia Hsiung. A seasoned TV & Film professional, Dr. Hsiung decided this production is worthy of an off-Broadway run and her first foray into stage production.

This dark, one-act, two-actor, three-scene play will have a special limited run December 5 – 7 (7:00 p.m. all showings) at the landmark American Theatre of Actors’ Sargent Theatre, 314 West 54th Street, New York City. TICKETS HERE

Danny and the Deep Blue Sea is a play about two troubled strangers, Danny and Roberta, who meet in a Bronx bar and form a dangerous, vulnerable connection. They share dark secrets and a deep sense of loneliness, which they initially try to conceal with anger and defiance. Their hostile, almost violent apache dance ultimately leads them toward empathy, forgiveness, and the possibility of love, as they reveal their deepest truths to one another.

Featuring James Liddell Tashia Gates and directed by Tessa Welsch

Executive Producer: Dr. Cynthia Hsiung
Co-Executive Producer: Nick Milodragovich
Producer: Tashia Gates

A portion of the ticket proceeds will go to survivors of domestic violence

Presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection.

Tashia Gates, born and raised in Montana, toured nationally with the Montana Repertory Theatre before moving to Los Angeles. Tashia believes storytelling is sacred and if honored as such, has the power to heal, enlighten and prosper humanity. In this respect, she is ecstatic to co-produce and bring to life “Roberta” in this production of John Patrick Shanley’s Danny and the Deep Blue Sea. Tashia’s most recent credits include Rebecca in the feature Somewhere in Montana, a co-star in Yellowstone, and the lead Vanessa in Hindsight, for which she was nominated for best actress at the Austin Comedy Film Festival. You may also see her in upcoming film roles as the lead Amanda in Lana Turner’s Eyes, Marja Maki in Buffalo Daze, Dinah in Where the Wind Blows and Sadie in The Wolf and the Lamb.

James Liddell is a Los Angeles based actor and writer. He starred in the independent film Two Ways to Go West, which he also wrote. Liddell has appeared in several films, including a lead role in the prequel to the cult hit horror film Hell House LLC: Origins, the sci-fi horror film First Contact and a lead role in the action film Island Escape as well as a supporting role in the action/heist The Tomorrow Job. He is often recognized as the lead in the Christmas films, The Christmas Venue and The Christmas Brew. In addition to his film work, Liddell recently received critical acclaim for his work on the stage, playing the role of “Tommy” in John Patrick Shanley’s The Dreamer Examines His Pillow at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles.

Nick is a Hollywood editor turned YouTuber (Linking Your Thinking with Nick Milo) and author, writing a book for Simon & Schuster (spring 2027). He has produced two indie feature films, worked in HBO’s programming department, and edited shows on Netflix, NBC, CBS, Paramount+, and AMC—including the Breaking Bad movie and Better Call Saul. His theater roles include Athos in The Three Musketeers, Dr. Seward in Dracula, and Horatio in Hamlet.

Dr. Cynthia Hsiung is an Executive Producer in Television and Film, an award-winning Feature Film Director, the producer of a two-time Emmy nominated TV series and holds the Distinguished Instructor award at UCLA Extension where she teaches and mentors up-and-coming creative professionals. This is Dr. Hsiung’s first time Executive Producing a Theatrical play which she views as more of a return to her roots. Cynthia was first exposed to theatrical performances in New York City where her parents would rehearse Chinese Opera in the living room of her childhood home. Later, she would perform herself dancing ballet on stage and had a brief theatrical acting run as a teenager where she played the part of “Thea” in Spring Awakening. Her career aspirations took her to Los Angeles where she has been a TV Showrunner, a Feature Film Director, Writer and Development Executive for companies including HBO, MTV, Universal Studios, Warner Bros., Fox Kids Network, Reels Channel and others. Dr Hsiung also runs a successful YouTube channel with over 355,000 subscribers called Your Hollywood Dream. Danny and the Deep Blue Sea is a passion project which she is taking on with long-time partner Nick Milodragovich.

American Theatre of Actors, Inc. (ATA) was founded in 1976 by James Jennings to promote the development of new playwrights, directors and actors, and to provide them a creative atmosphere in which to work. The plays are dramas, comedies, and hybrids, dealing with the social and ethical problems of contemporary society. 12,000 actors have worked at ATA including Dennis Quaid, Bruce Willis, Dan Lauria, Chazz Palminteri, Danny Aielo, David Morse, Edie Falco and Kathryn Hahn. Our productions are sometimes grouped as ‘festivals,’ such as a Playwrights Festival or a Directors Festival. In 2016 we began an initiative to feature women in theatre as directors and playwrights, today this is our WIT! (Women in Theatre) program.