A Sharp, Funny, and Terrifying Look at AI’s Future
If you’ve ever wanted to watch a bunch of brilliant, self-important tech types tear each other apart while sitting close enough to dodge the metaphorical (and maybe literal) shrapnel, DOOMERS is your show. Matthew Gasda’s latest play, staged in the intimate Pallas Gallery, doesn’t just invite you into the world of an imploding AI company—it plunks you right down in the middle of it, where you can feel the heat from the egos and the existential dread in real time.
And when we say intimate, we mean intimate. No cushy separation between actors and audience, no towering set pieces—just a rug marking the boundaries of the battlefield. The actors are working with about as much personal space as you’d get on a packed subway car, which makes it all the more thrilling when tensions flare. There were moments when you could practically see the wheels turning in their heads—half from character motivation, half from trying not to trip over our feet.
Act 1: The War Room – Enter the Mad Genius
We open in the offices of MindMesh, where Seth, the freshly booted, maybe-brilliant, maybe-certifiable CEO, is huddled with his loyalists, trying to figure out whether to fight, flee, or burn it all down. Seth sees himself as the only one who can properly birth Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) into the world, and his disciples range from true believers to those just hoping not to go down with the ship. It’s a fast, funny, and deeply unsettling portrait of ambition unhinged, as Seth works the room like a cornered chess grandmaster who still thinks he’s five moves ahead.
Act 2: The Boardroom – Meet the “Responsible” Adults
Over in the corporate boardroom, the so-called “AI doomers” are trying to steer the company—and possibly humanity—away from the abyss. Or are they? Turns out, their definitions of responsibility and ethics vary widely, and as the discussions wear on, it becomes clear that just because Seth is gone doesn’t mean the danger is. Backstabbing, grandstanding, and a bombshell revelation about Seth’s next move turn this act into a slow-burning ethical minefield, leaving the audience to wonder whether these people have humanity’s best interests in mind—or just their own.
A Production That Blurs the Line Between AI and Theater
One of the more unusual aspects of DOOMERS is how artificial intelligence was integrated into its creative process. The playbill lists ChatGPT and Claude—two AI language models—as official dramaturgs, a role typically reserved for human researchers who assist with script development, thematic refinement, and historical context.
While AI tools are increasingly used in creative writing and editing, it’s rare for them to receive formal credit in a live theater production. Given that DOOMERS itself explores AI’s role in shaping the future, this could be a meta-commentary, an artistic experiment, or simply a nod to the evolving relationship between technology and the arts. Regardless, it raises intriguing questions about authorship and collaboration—how much of the script was influenced by AI, and what does it mean for the future of theater when machines contribute to storytelling?
An Outstanding Ensemble Cast
The performances are uniformly strong, with Sam Hyrkin delivering a compelling mix of arrogance and desperation as Seth. Emily Keyishian’s Myra and Arup Chakrabarti’s Sanjay provide a sharp counterbalance, navigating the chaos Seth leaves behind. The full cast includes:
- Seth – Sam Hyrkin
- Jeff – Tommy Harkness
- Myra – Emily Keyishian
- Sanjay – Arup Chakrabarti
- Alina – Emily Anderson
- Mei – Gabi Maalihan
- Richard – Evan Sokol
- Charlie – Elliot Gross
- Harriet – Anna Connelly
- Eli – Alex Trono
Each actor brings a distinct energy to the ensemble, ensuring that DOOMERS never feels like a lecture on AI ethics but rather a fast-moving, tension-filled human drama.
The Takeaway? You’d Be a Fool to Miss This One
Gasda’s dialogue crackles with the kind of sharp wit and brutal insight that makes you both laugh and wince. The extreme proximity inside the intimate Pallas Gallery only intensifies the experience—you’re not just watching a power struggle, you’re practically in it. There’s no escape from the tension, no leaning back in your seat—you’re close enough to feel the microexpressions, the nervous twitches, the moments of triumph and collapse.
Director Ash Baker keeps the pacing taut, letting the existential horror sneak in between barbed one-liners and philosophical sparring. By the time the lights go down, you’re left wondering not just about AI’s future, but about the very human mess of egos, ambition, and self-delusion that’s driving it.
The Intimate Pallas Gallery – 1111 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94109
Reserve tickets: Jacob Donaldson (jacobmpdonaldson@gmail.com)
️ Ticket Prices:
- General Admission: $30
- Premium Seating: $50
Remaining performances run through March 22.
