Diversionary Theatre is taking a brave step into the world of family friendly theater, offering up the world premiere musical The Daddy Machine.

When a theatergoer suggested Diversionary produce a show he could take his three-year-old daughter to, executive director Dan Kirsch took the idea to the theater’s board for consideration. The result: a commission awarded to playwright and Ryan White Award-winner Patricia Loughrey, to develop a kid friendly show that would fit the theater’s mission statement.

Loughrey expanded a storyline originally penned by Johnny Valentine, which had Harry, one of two children in a two-mommy household, accidentally inventing a machine that produces dads. Loughrey expanded on the short picture book and even included a singing dog named Stonewall to add to the fun.

Loughrey conducted research for the project by interviewing parents, children and adoption counselors. She also worked closely with the staff of Family Matters, a GLBT parenting organization that promotes and sustains the well being of families with one or more parent who is GLBT.

Playwright Loughrey recently spoke to the Gay & Lesbian Times and provided additional insight into the historic production.

Gay & Lesbian Times: Can you share your experience in adapting The Daddy Machine?

Patricia Loughrey: It began when I got an assignment from Diversionary’s executive director Dan Kirsch to find a story for young people that could be produced at San Diego’s only gay theater. I started by reviewing the picture books available at the Obelisk Book store and what I found was that the books available seemed to be limited to a general introduction to the idea of same-sex parenting, but they really didn’t have a storyline per se. I eventually found one that had some “theatrical” possibilities and went with that one.

GLT: Can you give us a rough sketch of the storyline without giving everything away?

PL: The two mommies in the family of five (which includes two kids and a dog) leave the children alone while the moms go into town due to an emergency, and in their absence they create what’s called a Daddy Machine; in part, to find out what it would be like to have a daddy who makes delicious pancakes like the ones the “other” kids get.

GLT: Did you initially set up certain parameters for the production?

PL: I wrote a draft of the play with the idea that it would not be political, that it would not be propaganda, and that it would not be set up to offer any heated debate on the subject. The story was simply to show a family; it was not about having two moms. So I attempted to write a story that was driven by plot and also one that would not necessarily suggest that the kids needed a dad.

GLT: How long did it take you to develop this musical?

PL: It took about a year and a half. I was excited about the idea of a musical but had no experience with writing lyrics and such. Rayme Sciaroni was brought into the production to write the lyrics and composition.

GLT: Did you collaborate in at least writing the lyrics with Rayme?

PL: Initially I contributed some lyrics but none of those were used. Rayme – what with his many years of experience as a lyricist and composer – had a very good sense of what we wanted the piece to be. After I wrote the book, we looked for places to put the songs. This collaboration assisted and enhanced the book as well as the lyrics. Rayme was always very respectful of the script, and with his collaborative efforts it drove me to go further than I would if [have] if I had written the book in isolation.

GLT: Did you enlist the assistance of the author of the picture book, Johnny Valentine?

PL: No; we were never able to contact him since he uses a pseudonym.

GLT: Was this a difficult show to sell to Diversionary’s board of directors?

PL: Actually it was the board’s decision that The Daddy Machine be a part of the regular season and not be produced as an extra show.

GLT: Did they put the show in the season before it was finished, and, if so, did you ever have any doubts about meeting their deadlines?

PL: I have a tendency to write in clusters and I do better with a deadline.

GLT: How many songs were written for the production?

PL: There are six songs in the production with the show running approximately 70 minutes with no intermission.

GLT: Did the cast meet your expectations?

PL: The actors are all fabulous – they rock! They exceeded my expectations.

GLT: What do you want your audience to walk away with after seeing the production?

PL: I want them to see the validation of the gay lifestyle. I want them to feel that there is nothing wrong with a two-mommy or two-daddy household. I want them to believe that there is love and rightness in that relationship.

GLT: Will you be able to take the show on the road?

PL: We will take the show to San Diego State University for participation in the Theatre of the World. We also have a production date scheduled for Cal State (Long Beach).

In addition to speaking with Loughrey the GLT briefly spoke with the talented lyricist and composer of The Daddy Machine, Rayme Sciaroni, a New York transplant. After several years of living in San Diego, Sciaroni secured the respect of his audience and fellow musicians. He currently has songs featured on the recently completed CD and video release of “Naked Boys Singing.”

Sciaroni said he’s somewhat of a musical theater snob; in that, he insists upon perfect rhymes that are easy on the ear.

As a co-director of The Daddy Machine (along with Siobhan Sullivan), Sciaroni underscored that this musical is the first of its kind and that it’s similar to a Cat in the Hat story that should thrill kids and entertain adults as well. He says: “Finally there is something that kids of gay parents can take their parents to.”

Along those lines, artistic director Dan Kirsch informed me that when his season subscribers were given the opportunity to opt for something else if they weren’t interested in attending The Daddy Machine, the majority stayed with the family musical.

With this bold step of producing a gay, family friendly musical, Diversionary Theatre paves the way to celebrating the GLBT lifestyle.

The Daddy Machine opens on Jan. 19 and runs through Jan. 27. Because of the family nature of the play, Diversionary will offer daytime matinées on weekends and evening performances beginning at 7 p.m.

(Visit www.diversionary.org for more information, and call for tickets at 619-220-0097).