A crisis of conscience prompts a famous reality and social media star to flee the comfort of her glitzy L.A. surroundings in pursuit of “depth” and soon finds herself in an abandoned warehouse in Detroit, where she is soon profoundly changed after seeing a local indy theatre company’s adaptation of a classic Russian epic.

A recently retired businessman resorts to highly unusual methods in order to re-connect with a fading humanity.

The mid-life and times of Edmond de Capitoir, a once-anonymous executioner in 1913 France who, while shyly pursuing a young patisserie clerk in Versailles, struggles against his sudden notoriety.

*Finalist - Fulton Theatre Discovery Project Award, 2012.

Joe and Jean Brancato, a newly retired Long Island couple, seek to rest on the laurels of a life thus far made up of hard work and economizing . While Joe, retired-by-choice, is content to relax for a bit before “embarking on all their adventures”, Jean is still licking her wounds from a “forced” retirement. In this newly sedentary period, Jean begins to question her life, and to her surprise (and Joe’s) spontaneously auditions and secures a role in the local community theatre production of a new play. Her journey as an actress leads to a surprising end, as the play begins to mirror real life, bringing unexpected events that will test not only their marriage…but their collective sanity.

*World Premier, WorkShop Theater Company (Mainstage), NYC, 2013.

Review Excerpts from its World/NYC Premier;

“The fact that Joe and Jean, the 40-year-married protagonists of Damiano’s lovely, very moving new play, The Golden Year, are fully realized, multilayered people who still have passions, desires, pride, vibrant sexuality and true love and affection for one another – is reason for celebration. - The roles are so rich, in fact, that I can imagine actors “of a certain age” clamoring to play these parts – perhaps on Broadway or in a film adaptation. - …this Golden Year shimmers…“
- Andrew Rothkin, nytheatre.com

"The Golden Year Shines! - Damiano’s insight into a newly retired couple’s approach to life, their supportive relationship and the new predicaments they find themselves in is beautifully crafted."
- Ruth Antrich, Times Square Chronicles

"The Golden Year is 24 Karat! - Every once in a while, an off-off-Broadway production jumps up and reminds you that there is some really good Theatre happening up and down the side streets of Manhattan. Tucked into a tidy performance space onWest 36th Street, The Golden Year, Daniel Damiano’s 90-minute comedy-with-substance is one such example.
- Phil Dorian, Scene on Stage

“WorkShop Theater has a long list of world premiers to its credit, none more worthy than Damiano’s enjoyably insightful play - … destined for a wider audience...”
- Fred Winship, UPI International

"The Golden Year is poised for an open-ended run at a suitable New York theater, and is a natural for regional theater."
- Don Collester, WDVR Radio, NJ

"The plight of the retiree is one you rarely encounter in drama. But in a world where the aging, trusty systems are coming apart, there are just as many questions on the other side of 65 as there are on the way up. *** Stars! "
- Jenna Scherer, Time Out NY

JOHN gets a call at three in the morning from ALICIA, a woman living in Los Angeles who is a complete stranger to him. Desperate to save her alcoholic and drug-addled boyfriend (the friendless & unseen ROD), ALICIA has spotted JOHN’s number in ROD’s nearly blank address book, noticing that it is a number from ROD’s home state of New Jersey and, therefore, assumes that he is an old friend or at least an acquaintance of sorts who can possibly serve as a sobering element. Eventually, JOHN, having absolutely no idea who ROD is but feeling “compelled” nonetheless, ventures out to L.A. in the hopes that the experience may atleast prove helpful to his own sheltered existence. For ALICIA, JOHN’s presence brings with it the hope that it will enlighten ROD and thus strengthen a relationship which she feels has been, in some way,…destined.

The mysterious disappearance of a small North Jersey family’s matriarch has resulted in a father (JESSE) attempting to maintain hope and sanity in a progressively hopeless and insane household, which consists of his increasingly rebellious, rap-spouting 16-year old son (MAX) and demented mother-in-law (FRETTA), who spends her days reciting a grocery list and reminiscing about her deceased dog. But as abnormality has become the norm of their existence, both reality and surreality begin to gradually intervene, which, in one way or another,…will change them.

*Winner of the Christopher Brian Wolk Award, 2004
*World Premier with Abingdon Theatre Company, NYC, 2007.
- Backstage Critics Pick
- Archived in the Billy Rose Theatre Division of the NY Public Library

Review Excerpts from World/NYC Premier -

"Daniel Damiano's gem of a play has its feet planted solidly in the reality of a family mired in adversity. Yet, along with the pathos which the characters so genuinely evoke, a great deal of humor beautifully balances an evening of theater encompassing a wide range of emotions: pity, frustration, fear, suspenseful expectation, ire, compassion and ultimately hope."
- Fred McKinnon, Theatreonline.com

"…(Dreams) does prove that the stuff of ordinary domestic life can still pack a punch… Damiano has a fine ear for naturalistic dialogue, and his observations of working-class Italian-American life ring true.
- A.J. Mell, Backstage (Pick)

"Daniel Damiano has captured the indescribable angst of waiting for the unknown, surrounding illness, estrangement, abduction, or any of dozens of reasons for psychic frost. Whether he, as a playwright, bases this acute drama on personal or imagined experience, Mr. Damiano does so with searing insight and painful perfection."
- RobertaontheArts.com

"…Damiano succeeds terrifically in capturing the collective frustration of a family in their struggles".
- Andy Propst, American Theatre Web