Denny Doherty his daughter Mackenzie Phillips, and Elaine "Spanky" McFarlane, which toured and performed old standards and new tunes written by John. Doherty later produced an off-Broadway show called "Dream a Little Dream", which was a narrative of his perspective of the story of The Mamas & the Papas. It was well received and garnered favourable reviews. The show was in part a response to John's PBS documentary "Straight Shooter: The True Story of John Phillips and The Mamas and the Papas". It featured music from the group and focused on his relationship with Cass Elliot. In 1993, he played the part
The Mamas & the Papas to the stage, making a disastrous start in John Phillips' "Man on the Moon" (1975). In 1977, he returned to his birthplace, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and started playing legitimate roles, including Shakespeare, at the Neptune Theatre under the tutelage of John Neville. This led to television work, beginning with a variety program, "Denny's Sho*", which ran for one season in 1978. He went on to host and voice parts in the children's program, "Theodore Tugboat", and to act in various series, including twenty-two episodes of the drama "Pit Pony". Doherty also performed with the New Mamas and the Papas (see