John Anthony Loffredo is a Los Angeles based playwright whose work explores the intersection of queerness and survival. He will be making his professional playwriting debut in 2025 with the world premiere of his play, FROU-FROU: A MENAGERIE OF SORTS, at Boston Court Pasadena directed by Zi Alikhan. He has previously developed work as a member of Under Construction at the Road Theatre, Boston Court Pasadena's Playwrights Group, and Clusterf**k at the Coop NYC. John Anthony is a former O'Neill semi-finalist, Lambda Literary fellow, and recipient of the Nancy Garden Scholarship. Their work as an essayist has been published in Condé Nast's LGBTQ+ publication, them, and is shared regularly on their Substack, late to the party. John Anthony is also a two-time AIDS/LifeCycle rider, cycling from San Francisco to Los Angeles with thousands of others to raise awareness and millions of dollars to support community members living with HIV/AIDS.

John Anthony holds a BFA in Drama from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Writing

Produced Plays

All production photos by Brian Hashimoto.

Reviews

“This writer, John Anthony Loffredo, is not afraid to go there...This is a Queer play, and it is defiantly resisting the need to be a kind or sweet play. It doesn’t really care if it’s understood. It would rather scratch its naked ass at us on stage and leave us startled...So, kudos to Boston Court for taking this risk. Take more I say. And let’s all cradle this young spirit while he makes his way through a very promising career. ”

— Luis Alfaro

“Frou-Frou: A Menagerie of Sorts, which just had its world premiere at Boston Court Pasadena, is an extraordinary piece of theatre unlike any other...it is just such a relief to see works that take a huge risk but doesn’t forget to have a heart and make the audience give a damn. And also make them laugh like no other.”

— Edward Hong, Nerds of Color

Jesus and Judas are in love and everything is wonderful…until God intervenes. I Love You, Jesus Christ! is a queer, raucous reimagining of the crucifixion where Jesus ascends as a martyr leaving Judas searching for something to believe in.

“...a dazzler of a World Premiere comedy-drama, one which takes the veiled homoeroticism of Tennessee Williams classics like Menagerie, Streetcar, and Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and unveils it (and then some) for a 21st-century audience...you’re in for one breathtaking ride.”

— Steven Stanley, StageSceneLA

Alex Bartner and Troy Trippichio

Melody Ladd, Alex Bartner, and Megan Ermilio

E.B. Hinnant and Alex Bartner

Alex Bartner

Megan Ermilio and Keyana Hemphill

Melody Ladd, Keyana Hemphill, Alex Bartner, Troy Trippichio, E.B. Hinnant, and Megan Ermilio

Keyana Hemphill, Alex Bartner, Troy Trippichio, E.B. Hinnant, and Megan Ermilio

Alex Bartner and Troy Trippichio

E.B. Hinnant

Keyana Hemphill

Melody Ladd

E.B. Hinnant, Alex Bartner, Megan Ermilio, and Melody Ladd

Alex Bartner, Megan Ermilio, Melody Ladd, Troy Trippichio, E.B. Hinnant, and Keyana Hemphill

Lighting Design by Natasha Rotondaro
Scenic Design by Benny Pitt
Costume Design by Emmy Weissman
Stage Managed by Monica Cecilia
Produced by Connor Scully and Sami Pyne

I Love You, Jesus Christ! was originally developed at Dixon Place in 2018 before premiering at The Tank in 2022. Photos by Noah Eberhart

A queer love story that spans multiple generations.

Left to Right: Charles Dinstuhl, Jack Sochet, Valeria Avina, Janessa Floyd, and John Anthony Loffredo

Marcus Jones and Johnny Pozzi

Johnny Pozzi

John Anthony Loffredo and Jack Sochet

Jack Sochet and John Anthony Loffredo

Jack Sochet and Marissa Matrone

Valeria Avina and Janessa Floyd

Janessa Floyd and Valeria Avina

Charles Dinstuhl and Valeria Avina

Janessa Floyd and Valeria Avina

Written by John Anthony Loffredo
Directed by Jennifer Parkhill
Produced by Piera Van de Wiel
AD/Stage Managed by Molly Watts
Production Design by Phil Seiverding
Lighting Design by Cati Kalinoski

Premiered at the Access Theater from July 19th-22nd, 2018. Photos by Sara Laufer.

Episode 3: QueerInTune

John Anthony’s short play, *Anatomy of a Gay Boy*, is featured on Zoomfest The Theatrical Podcast Ep. 3 “QueerInTune”.
Premiered on Spotify in April 2020.
Directed by Mack Brown
Produced by Sean Chia and Devon Kidd

Featuring: John Anthony Loffredo and Zac Porter

Additional Work

In my first published piece for Them, I question if it’s time to swap my lavender bell bottoms for a pair of camo cargos in an age where gay men are gravitating toward more masculine attire.

Read

“Coming out in your twenties might make you feel late to the party, but I hope these essays will make you feel like you’re right on time.”

— John Anthony

Personal essays are shared weekly to John Anthony’s Substack, late to the party.

Subscribe !

*Letters to a Five-Year-Old Queer Boy*

A photo series accompanied by a collection of poetry.

Written by John Anthony Loffredo
Shot by Sara Laufer
Art Direction by Philip Sieverding
Viewable on Issuu by clicking here.

Milo is lost—detached from his thoughts and feelings—until one summer he meets Calvin, a beautiful boy, in a charming beachside town. They spend the summer stretched out on beach towels, listening to love songs, and struggling to remember a time when they didn't know each other. Suddenly, Milo’s feelings awaken a rich emotional life that has always been stirring inside him.

Blue is for Boys is available for purchase at Skylight Books in Los Angeles or by contacting John Anthony directly.

Illustration

Concept art for Blue is for Boys, John Anthony’s graphic novel. — Concept art for *Blue is for Boys*, John Anthony’s graphic novel.

*Blue is for Boys* 7 Year anniversary art

Ianne Fields Stewart actor and founder of The Okra Project

Download