Godfather of Doom

A brilliant scientist created a fundamental AI technology that leads towards the destruction of mankind, and now he must answer for it. In a chilling confession that blurs the line between memory and madness, Dr. Jeff Hansen recounts how his innocent childhood fascination with nature's patterns evolved into world-changing breakthroughs in machine learning.

But as he delves deeper into his past, a darker truth emerges—throughout his journey, he may have been guided by a mysterious, supernatural presence that infected his thoughts and shaped his discoveries.

Was Hansen a visionary tragically manipulated by forces beyond his understanding, or simply a man desperate to escape responsibility for humanity's downfall?

In this psychological thriller that weaves cutting-edge science with otherworldly horror, you become the jury tasked with judging not just his actions, but his very soul. Enhanced by live music and striking visuals, this is a tale of brilliance corrupted and the terrifying price of playing god.

Godfather of Doom is a "fringe-friendly" show: 5-person cast, minimal set pieces and costumes, simple lighting requirements, optional projections, and a 55-minute run time.

A black and white portrait of a man with a serious expression, standing in front of a background with scientific and geometric illustrations including graphs, grids, and birds.
Group of 14 diverse people standing together indoors on a stage, smiling at the camera.

Development history:

Mar. 2025: Composer engaged

May 2025: First reading in Westport, CT