Review: ‘Punish Me’ at Hudson Backstage Theatre
- Dondre Tuck
- 50 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Michael Dukakis’ world premiere psychological thriller “Punish Me,” directed by Monique Sorgen at Hudson Backstage Theatre, follows Nick (Dukakis), a Greek screenwriter who comes to Los Angeles chasing a dream that feels within reach. This desire feels almost certain when he meets Damon (Dylan Griner), a charismatic stranger who offers romance, access and a path to getting Nick’s project produced.
As the two men join lives, the stakes turn real, and fast, especially once Nick’s career momentum and visa status start to hang in the balance and it becomes clear Damon is not who he presents himself to be.
The performances are solid across the board, with flashes of something even stronger when the show slows down enough to let moments breathe. Nick and Damon’s chemistry has its highs, but it plays inconsistent overall, and some scenes feel surface-level and rushed when they should feel lived-in. A few tightened transitions and more patience inside the beats would make their dynamic hit harder.
Brianna Bell as Giselle, Nick’s close friend who tries to talk sense into him, and Jaiden Blessing as Shelly, one of Damon’s ex-flings who warns Nick about Damon’s past, are effortless standouts — grounded, light, and believable, with natural ease opposite Dukakis that brings needed clarity and warmth into the story.
Director Sorgen’s vision is clear, and the blocking is genuinely strong. The staging gives the show dimension and keeps it visually engaging, even when the pacing moves too quickly to fully process what just happened. That speed sometimes works against the tension, especially in moments that should simmer. A fight scene plays a bit too trivial, and raising the stakes there would elevate the emotional payoff. I also kept getting pulled out of scenes involving food and drinks because nothing was being consumed. Small realism choices like that matter when the story is asking us to believe in the danger.
Nick Lambrou’s set design is lovely and smart. The red second-floor backdrop suggesting Los Angeles, plus the staircase and catwalk, adds depth without clutter. The minimal furniture is used well, including a navy couch, a small round dinner table and a portable door that brings movement and life to the space.
Similarly, costume design stays simple but supportive, with multiple looks for Nick and Damon while other characters remain mostly static, and it never becomes a distraction. Steve Pope’s lighting is the visual engine of the night, with gloomy blues, rich reds and dense royal purples that shape the mood and give the production texture. Paul Yorke’s sound design is just as crucial, landing transitions and cues that keep the story pulsing forward.
What sticks most is the play’s thematic heartbeat: the idealization of potential over the reality in front of you. Nick’s sincere nature gets exploited by Damon’s charm, and even with warnings from Giselle and Shelly, Nick keeps choosing the version of Damon he wants to believe in, until it costs him. It is a sharp reminder that ignoring reality is its own kind of complicity.
Overall, “Punish Me” feels like a fresh new play with real potential, the kind of coming-of-age story that could hit even harder with fewer transitions, more grounded stage business, and higher stakes in key confrontations. The audience felt invested during the opening night performance, and the show held my attention from start to finish as well, with sincere laughs and genuine shock along the way. I absolutely recommend it.
“Punish Me” continues through Feb. 25 at Hudson Backstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, with shows Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 or $29 for students, seniors and union actors, and can be purchased online at onstage411.com/punishme. Run time is 90 minutes with no intermission.