Best. Dad. NEVER.

Part TED Talk, part history lesson, and part stream-of-consciousness introspection, Haig “Hike” Chahinian's solo show is a quiet, reflective journey. The youngest of three children to Armenian parents, Haig realizes that inherited trauma shapes him in unsuspecting and unsettling ways. Realizing that he is a homosexual who aches for partnership and children, his show highlights the adoption and challenges of raising of his bi-racial daughter. Some of the self-discoveries he shares include a mantra of "Educate, Walk Away, or Make a Joke." These three options are applied when responding to those who question him raising a child without a mother or one that looks nothing like him. Many pearls of wisdom come out in this hour long show. Bu... full review

BEST DAD NEVER is a delightful heartfelt nuanced exposé of the internal dialogues experienced by gay parents navigating the mostly straight world of child rearing. Moreover, the show is a testimony to widely held biases and refractions of objective truth all people experience to a greater or lesser degree. I would highly recommend BEST DAD NEVER to anyone interested in the more sublime aspects of gay parenting, trans-racial parenting, or for that matter parenting in general.... full review

Haig’s monologue is a one-and-a-half-hour moment of self-introspection that invites us all to consider the complexities of confronting our identities, making decisions about who we are and where we stand, and battling through the conflicts of cultural self-discovery. This is about so much more than parenting; it’s about all of us and the challenges we face in terms of self-acceptance and vulnerability. A wonderful and honest performance that touches at the core not just of being a parent, but being human. ... full review

Best. Dad. Never. is a brave exploration of potentially thorny topics that Haig unpacks with disarming charm and ease. He's definitely not afraid to "go there" and I appreciated that. There's a lesson for us all here. In his specific lived experiences, Haig echoes universal themes that have haunted humans for years. There are many complexities at play here, but sometimes you've gotta poke the bear. Kudos!... full review

I saw Best. Dad. Never. on Saturday night and it is a great show. Haig is not an actor. But in this case, it works. He is a great writer. And he simply tells his story of being a gay Armenian man raising a biracial daughter with his husband. He is painfully transparent about discovering his own racial biases. The show is funny and endearing. His daughter read the script and approved it beforehand. It asks the audience to look at their own inherent biases. Our shadow-selves. Haig reflects on the Armenian genocide and how generations of shared trauma has impacted the Armenian people. The show is incredibly intimate and that is part of its power. ... full review

Best. Dad. Never. was moving, powerful and provocative! Haig delves into and challenges us to examine our shared human impulses, where they lead us, how they shape us and cross multi-generational lines. The show was brilliant, sweet and funny. Get your ticket today!... full review

Wow. Blown away. Haig “Hike” Chahinian blew it out of the water. I learned, I laughed, I cried. Haig connects with his audience and imparts wisdom and life experience with humor and modesty. This is the sort of theater that can be transformative, not just to the individual seeing the show, but to society as a whole. Amazing.... full review

Haig is so funny without even trying I swear, he's just himself and so honest and everyone loves him for it. He brings such tenderness and understanding to his story you can't help but be compassionate to his "misunderstandings" he talks about in the show. ... full review

Best. Dad. Never. was such an important piece of theater that I think needs to be shared far and wide. Such a wonderful story and way to share and educate and help us learn to love a little more.... full review

This highly personal one-man show touched on many universal themes. By hearing how Hike went from his birth family to his chosen family, many socially important topics were raised.... full review