Father To Son At Phoenix

It's all about the father and the son.

That's the message of Phoenix Theatre's production of Da, which just opened last weekend. 

Hugh Leonard's dramatic comedy about an Irish family explores middle-aged writer Charlie's conflicting feelings for his recently deceased father.

"He's at war with himself," director Eric Lewis said.  "He's at the pinnacle of life.  He's 40-something, his father just died, and he's going through a life review."

One of the hallmarks of the play is the different time periods employed in the telling of the story. We see Charlie at several ages, living out his relationship with his da.

David Bailey is undertaking the challenge of playing Charlie in his middle ages and, oddly, as a child. 

However, Leonard did give the actors some assistance. 

"The seven-yearold is played as an adult remembering memory rather than being the seven-year-old," Bailey said.  "So he kind of made it easier for us."

Charlie at 17 is being played by Chad Oswald, who said he enjoyed the challenge of acting with an accent.

This marks the third collaboration between Oswald and Lewis. Oswald said he appreciates Lewis' direction.

"I'll come with some things to the table, but he definitely has his own ideas," Oswald said, laughing. "He's fun."

Michael McFadden is playing Da. He found surprising coincidences between the character's situation and his own life.

"I see my father," McFadden said.  "My father's going through some issues right now, with dementia and aging."

The Irish play ends on a challenging note, which Lewis appreciates. So often in America, Lewis notes, writers try to end a play with a sentimental touch. Da could have easily wrapped up with a ladder coming down and Da going off to heaven, Lewis said.

That doesn't happen with Da.

"Here, it's the truth," Lewis said. "Your parents' influences stay with you all of your life."

Da runs through February 27.  Tickets are available through 206.533.2000.  More information is available at Phoenixtheatreedmonds.com.