Patricia Loughrey - The Daddy Machine: Reviews

CRITIC REVIEWS

Diversionary Theatre has always embraced risk. Still, producing a world-premiere kid-friendly musical seems like a high-wire walk over Niagara Falls for the theater, which presents often-edgy plays with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender themes. more
Janice Steinberg, San Diego Union-Tribune
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Diversionary Theatre’s world-premiere The Daddy Machine is critic-proof, which is to say it’s one of those shows you like regardless. It’s a fantastical, family-friendly musical skit more than it is a play, centering on a same-sex household, a singing dog and 62 dads (some of whom are recruited from the audience) who pop out of an otherworldly contraption and make life interesting for Harry and Sue (Max Oilman-Williams and Lirenza Gillette), the two kids.

The point of this Patricia Loughrey libretto is that the parents’ gender takes a back seat to the love and stability they create in the home—as Sue puts it, “A dad is a just a mom who’s a man.” The Daddy Machine underscores that little gem with gentility and fun.
Martin Jones Westlin, San Diego CityBeat Listings
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“…a show that does just about everything right”.
In Loughrey's clever script, a lot of the humor stays broad enough for children (for instance, a slapstick bit where four of the dads run wild in wacky costumes) but there are also witty references to crack up adults. Sciaroni's bouncy tunes and nimble lyrics got this mature viewer happily joining the kids in sing-alongs.
Janice Steinberg, San Diego Union-Tribune
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“… the fantasy and joy of “Daddy Machine” is pure, overt and involving”
This production is highly recommended for all audiences and contains not one moment of preaching about the acceptance of, and the exceptional parents found in, households maintained by same-sex partners. Joy is infectious…
La Jolla Village News, Charlene Baldridge
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“…Stonewall absolutely captivates the kids”
The star of the show is Stonewall (Jacob Caltrider), the family dog. As with any dog, the world revolves around him, his toys, and the number of pats on the head he gets from the family.
News Blaze, Robert Hitchcox

AUDIENCE REVIEWS

“My kids were riveted. I haven't seen anything hold their attention like this, not even cartoons. My two-year-old never squirmed once during the entire show!”
Audience - R Family Vacation cruise to Mexico
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“This is maybe the most fun I've had in a theater ever. I left feeling so good, and my kids are still slinging “Our House.” They listen to the CD in the morning when we’re eating breakfast.”
Audience – San Diego
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“ I was really moved. It was so nice to see that family. I think I'm going to start talking to my partner again about us possibly adopting.”
Audience - San Diego State University