“What’s the use of fooling yourself? I’m a dead guy, and that’s no pipe dream. But I need someone to listen and pretend they believe me.” And so Erie Smith, playwright Eugene O’Neill’s classic hustler and small-time gambler, defines his lonely and insignificant life. O’Neill actually wrote just over 20 short plays during his career – but HUGHIE stands out because it was his last short play, written 22 years after the rest (1913 – 1919). But each short play still leans deeply into some of O’Neill’s favorite themes: despair, self-delusion, and loneliness as a major factor in the human condition. Even though he penned the hour-long play in 1941, it was not produced until 1958, when it made its world premiere in Sweden. In 1963, it was finally produced in English in the UK starring Burgess Meredith, finally reaching Broadway in 1964 starring Jason Robards. Over the years, HUGHIE has held hypnotic appeal to a variety of talented actors, including Ben Gazzara, Al Pacino, Brian Dennehy, and Forest Whitaker. In 2025, Two Roads Theatre is proud to present HUGHIE.
Dan Frischman – Photo courtesy of Two Roads Productions
The time is 1928; it’s 3 a.m., and the place is a seedy hotel lobby in New York City. Erie Smith (Dan Frischman), a small-time hustler and down-on-his-luck gambler shows up after a four-day bender occasioned by the death of Hughie, the former night clerk at the hotel who used to listen attentively to Erie’s stories about his fabled successes. Now Erie bends the ear of Charlie Hughes (Andy Forrest/Scott MacDonell), the new night clerk, who seems perilously close to slipping from indifference to boredom to sleep. The desolate emptiness of Erie’s life has come into powerful and poignant focus as he grapples with the loneliness of the human condition and the desperate need to find connection.
Andy Forrest and Dan Frischman – Photo courtesy of Two Roads Productions
Skillfully and compassionately helmed by Bill Sehres, HUGHIE plumbs the depth of Erie’s haunting and heartbreaking self-revelations – realizations which he has been covering up and deluding himself about for years. Frischman does a superb job of digging deep into the psyche of this desperate and sad man as reality begins to rear its unforgiving head. Some of Frischman’s other skill sets (reflected in his lifetime membership in LA’s Magic Castle and his regular participation in “The World Series of Poker” in Las Vegas) fit snugly into the role of Erie. Charlie Hughes is played by two actors who alternate the role (for specific dates, contact the theater). During the reviewed production, Charlie was played by Andy Forrest, who did a skillful job of presenting the nearly-mute desk clerk. Charlie’s verbalizations are limited, but he makes up for a shortage of words by his strong non-verbal skills.
Dan Frischman – Photo courtesy of Two Roads Productions
This review would not be complete without offering well-deserved kudos for Katherine Bulovic’s set design. It is 1928 seedy hotel lobby to perfection. One can almost smell the mold and destroyed dreams. HUGHIE is a must-see production. It is funny, sad, and moving, drawing both chuckles and sighs as the tale unfolds. It will delight O’Neill fans – but this hour-long play is also a slice of theatrical history which must be seen to be fully appreciated.
HUGHIE runs through April 20, 2025, with performances at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 7 p.m. on Sundays. The Two Roads Theatre is located at 4348 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City, CA. Tickets are $35 (students/seniors $25). For reservations, go online.
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