ON STAGE
2026
Plea the Fifth is a darkly funny, deeply personal one-man show about Joe McBratney — a Staten Island kid whose life was shattered at eleven when his father, James “Jimmy” McBratney, was killed in the crime that helped launch John Gotti’s rise. The world told one version of that story. Joe lived another. This isn’t a mob tale. It’s about the son left behind — growing up with unanswered questions, a legacy he never asked for, and the weight of a father he adored. Joe’s memories are raw, messy, heartbreaking, and often surprisingly funny. I met Joe years ago, and every story he shared stuck with me.
Eventually, I told him, “This needs to be a show.” That’s how I Plea the Fifth was born — a man finally ready to confront the shadow he grew up under and speak the truth he’s held for fifty years. Your support helps us bring this to the stage in Fall 2026 and film the performance so the story can live beyond one night. It’s not a mob story. It’s a survivor story. And Joe’s finally ready to tell it.
Credits: Music: Dirty Money by Soundridemusic Link to Video: • Cinematic Tension Suspense No Copyright Mu...
I PLEA THE FIFTH
We are currently raising funds to bring I Plea the Fifth to the stage and capture the live performance for future audiences. This production is a deeply personal project years in the making, and your support helps us secure the theater, hire the creative team, build the set, and film the show with the care it deserves. Every contribution — large or small — moves us one step closer to sharing Joe McBratney’s powerful story with the world. If you’d like to be part of the journey, you can visit our campaign page to learn more and help make this production a reality.