Theater Review by Walter Murphy . . .
Godzilla, King of the Monsters, the 1957 film, looms large in Doc Dougherty’s childhood imagination in his solo show Godzilla’s Prince, now playing through March 8 at the EAG Guild Hall. He describes the allegorical origins of the fictional monster—the result of nuclear radiation from atomic bombs detonated in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. For Dougherty, Godzilla was just one of many monsters in his life’s story, one filled with pain, abuse, addiction, personal growth, and learning. And it is a riveting performance.
King Godzilla was a screen monster, destroyer of cities, and wreaker of havoc. But that was just his day job. He was also a parent. He had a son, Minilla, who first appeared in the 1967 film Son of Godzilla and he was friendly and kind to children. During the 75-minute performance, Dougherty tells of his king of the monsters, his father. Later, he came to realize he himself had become a prince. It was then that his life changed dramatically.
At times teary while reliving the horrific events in his life—and it was a brutal upbringing—Dougherty begins with a wistful account of a loving family, which included his grandmother, aunts, and uncle, only to have his happiness upended with the return of his parents.
Abusive and violent to his children and wife, Dougherty’s father became the king of monsters. With each addition to the family, the monster’s horrific behavior worsened. Dougherty hoped that school would provide a safe space from beatings and humiliation, but the nuns at his school were as unloving and abusive as the at-home monster. Dougherty’s mental state declined through high school and the military while adding addiction to his method of easing his pain. Eventually, he hit his bottom, realizing that he too had become a monster, a prince to the king. And his life changed dramatically again.
The insightful script by Anna Theresa Cascio and Doc Dougherty captures the significant episodes that hold the audience’s attention throughout. With each horrible episode, one wonders how Dougherty survived. It is Michael Schiralli’s direction that no doubt maintains that tension and suspense and makes the work so rewarding.
One aspect of the show that may be interesting to the local audience (as it was to me) is that Doc Dougherty is a real New Yorker. His words reveal frequent references to NYC back in the day. He grew up in Broad Channel, Queens; attended Schaffer’s Central Park concerts in the summer; became a “strong man” in the Department of Sanitation; attended a Catholic school with a ridiculous name (St. Vigilius, which closed in 2006); went to Mets games; and, had his epiphany shortly after attending a Jets game. That probably happens to a lot of Jets fans.
Throughout his gripping, emotional performance, Dougherty tells his story with honesty, compassion, and occasional humor—albeit gallows humor. His fellow junkies all died. His mother, grandmother, aunts, and uncles died. Dougherty notes, ironically, that the inflictor of so much pain and suffering, his father, the king of the monsters, died in the most benign way, compared to the others.
Throughout his story, Dougherty wonders how he managed to avoid tragic repercussions from his misdeeds. How did he live to tell his tale? However that may have happened, we are fortunate he is still here to tell his powerful story of hope.
Godzilla’s Prince. Through March 8 at Guild Hall performance space at the Episcopal Actors Guild (1 East 29th Street, between Fifth and Madison Avenues). Performances are on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7 PM.
Photos: Frenchie Cavallo Phelps
