The Motherfucker with the Hat
Ralph Lizette Padua
Ralph Daniel Pierre
Cousin Julio Daniel Velasquez
Veronica Tionne Watson
Run crew:
- Kaya Sandiford
- Mikayla Pimentel
- Sofia Laboyespinell
- Malik fisher
- Amaya Adu
- Cionna Carmon
- Rory Flynn
- Isabella Ragano
Run time: 2 hours without an intermission
Content Advisory
Director’s Note
The Motherfucker with the Hat looks at the complicated sides of love, trust, and self-worth that everyone faces. Stephen Adly Guirgis brings to life flawed, relatable characters caught in cycles of love and betrayal. With humor and honesty, the play addresses difficult topics like addiction, personal growth, and forgiveness.
The story centers on Jackie, who’s working to stay sober while managing a challenging
relationship with his addict girlfriend, Veronica. Their relationship is already strained by jealousy and mistrust, so when Jackie finds another man’s hat in her apartment, it throws him into a frenzy. For Jackie, the hat becomes a sign of betrayal, forcing him to question his relationships and his sense of stability. Even his friendship with Ralph, his best friend and sponsor, is shaken.
Ralph, who should be a source of support, turns out to be self-centered and unreliable,
exposing a hidden toxicity that tests Jackie’s trust in those close to him.
The play doesn’t offer clear heroes or villains; instead, Guirgis presents complex people struggling with their choices. Jackie’s journey shows the difficulty of moving forward, letting go of the past, and striving for self-improvement. Each character faces universal issues like trust, forgiveness, and the desire for redemption.
By producing this play, we not only explore deep themes of love, trust, and personal growth, but also create a platform for narratives and contributions from people of color (POC), who areoften underrepresented. Through our unique staging, we aim to highlight POC perspectives and showcase the strength and creativity within our community. We hope this production can be a step toward expanding opportunities for future POC artists at Purchase, helping to build a more inclusive environment that celebrates our voices and stories. This performance is one part of our commitment to empowering POC creatives and supporting a more diverse arts community on campus.
The Motherfucker with the Hat doesn’t wrap things up neatly; it reflects the realities of life, where people make mistakes and sometimes hurt each other. Jackie’s story reminds us that even when life is challenging, we keep trying to love, grow, and forgive—both others and ourselves.
- Natalie Nova
Creative Team Profiles
Nina Farduchi (Victoria)
Nina Farduchi will be playing the role of Victoria in The Motherfucker With The Hat. She is a senior majoring in Theatre and Performance, as well as Video and Film Production. This will be her first play at Purchase College since transferring here, she is extremely excited to not only be performing but also serving as a senior producer for the show. Victoria is a passionate and complex woman who brings both humor and heart to the story. She faces her own set of challenges within her relationship, which gives Nina the opportunity to explore Victoria’s vulnerabilities and resilience. Nina believes this production will resonate with students, especially those dealing with issues like substance abuse and relationship challenges. The play tackles these topics with a mix of humor and raw honesty, offering moments that will evoke laughter while also prompting reflection. She hopes audiences enjoy the show as much as the team enjoyed bringing it to life.
Daniel Pierre (he/him) is a THP/ Screenwriting and Playwriting Double Major Senior. He has done multiple shows at Purchase consisting of The Silent Observer, Ramblin’ Gary Rogers, Wayne, A Black Play, and Down With The 4th Wall. Daniel is from Brooklyn, NY and started his acting journey in 2020 and hasn’t looked back since. Being one of his many interests, Daniel is looking forward to continuing his acting career and many other endeavors post Purchase. P.S. ~ He hopes yall enjoy the show!!!
Lizette Padua (Jackie) (she/her) Is a rising amateur in the theatre scene, currently pursuing her passion as a senior theatre and performance major from the dynamic borough of the Bronx. With her involvement in performing arts on and off campus like the performance “Just Talk to me by Randy Figureroa” playing the character Hope and being a Director for previous senior Ahona Diaz in her solo performance titled “A Tribute to Tagore”. Lizette has honed her skills while collaborating with esteemed production companies such as Epic Theatre. Lizette is deeply grateful to her loved ones for their unwavering support and inspiration as she continues her journey to amplify the voice of underrepresented communities.
Tionne Watson (Veronica) (she/her) is a senior and will be starring in the role Veronica! She is a Theater and Performance major who you might have previously seen in purchase productions like The haunting of Campbell House, Down with the fourth wall and Room for growth! Tionne was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and in her free time you can find her, crocheting, writing and singing. She dreams of being a star on Broadway and a titan in the film industry.
Director Profile
Natalie Nova (she/they) is a first-generation transfer student in her final year, majoring in theater and performance. Natalie draws inspiration from her own experiences and aspires to become a theater teacher in underfunded, minority-focused K-12 schools. Her previous work includes choreographing productions such as Urinetown, Footloose, Matilda, and Mean Girls (High School Edition), among many others. She has also played a key role in assistant directing a couple of shows! On stage, Natalie has showcased her talent in productions like Chicago (Velma), Anon(ymous) (Nemasani), and Pippin. In addition to directing The Motherfucker with the Hat, Natalie will take on several roles in the 2024/25 season, including assistant director for the spring THP mainstage production of Macbeth, as well as working on the senior projects Collective Rage (assistant director) and Geryon (actor). She will also choreograph another musical at the high school where she works in the spring. Natalie extends their heartfelt gratitude to the amazing cast and crew who have dedicated themselves to this project. She also thanks her loved ones for their unwavering support and hopes everyone enjoys the show! Con amor y paz :)