The Irish Repertory Theatre presents

DA

Written by Hugh Leonard
Directed by Charlotte Moore
Scenic Design: James Morgan
Costume Design: Linda Fisher
Lighting Design: Michael Gottlieb
Sound Design: Zach Williamson

Featuring: Sean Gormley, Kristin Griffith, John Keating, Nicola Murphy, Paul O’Brien, Ciaran O’Reilly, Adam Petherbridge, Fiana Toibin

Press Representative: Coyle Entertainment

Irish Repertory Theatre at the DR2 Theatre
103 East 15th Street
Through March 8, 2015
www.irishrep.org; 212-727-2737.


His Da has passed away and Charlie comes home to bury him and settle his affairs. While home in Dublin for the funeral, Charlie is haunted by his father and childhood memories. While in his father’s home, he encounters the ghosts of his past - including his young self, played by Ciaran O'Reilly - and those of his present.

Charlie cannot shake his father out of his head. And even in death, Da is still the careless, comical, ignorant man that frustrates him to no end. He is a simple man and works as a gardener for a wealthy family, whom he lets take advantage of him. Da is an uninformed Nazi supporter because he doesn’t like England. But Charlie comes to realize that his father truly loved him.

In these flashbacks, his mother blurts out to a prospective employer that Charlie is adopted, as she looks for praise for her good deed. She is at times mean and demeaning to both Charlie and his father.

Charlie is visited by his childhood friend Oliver and they begin to reminisce about their youth, including when Charlie cozied up to a girl with a bad reputation, only to have his Da walk by and put a damper on his plans. His final visitor is his former employer, who delivers his father’s will and a frustrating surprise for Charlie.

The adult Charlie frequently instructs young Charlie in his behavior, and vice versa - a reminder that we are constant critics of our selves and our own worst enemies.

It’s a play about dealing with past relationships, how they affect you and are so much a part of you. He knows his father will never leave him.

- Gloria Talamas -