Try and imagine this. You come to Hollywood from your native land Ireland because you want to be in movies. Oh okay a TV series would also be just fine. You hook up with a lover, find a place to live and get a few gigs. Then one day you come home to find your lover in the midst of a ménage a trois. You find a crap hole apartment and your dog runs away. Oh and you lose the only regular job you have. Anyone would be depressed some even suicidal. So when you meet up with a blonde Hollywood stereotype with plans to go to Uganda to help just some of the many orphan children there, many of whom are HIV positive you agree, not so much because you care one whit about the children but because your look forward to being crushed by some large wild beast and avoid having to commit suicide.
With this not so noble beginning Johnny O’Callaghan launches his audience into a truly amazing trip, a real trip, a true life experience that he actually lived. For 90 minutes the audience is spellbound as moment by moment the metamorphosis of the life of Johnny O’Callaghan is revealed laced with unending humor.
When Johnny arrives at the airport at Kampala, Uganda he is immediately struck by the heat and filth and stench that is Uganda. He also discovers that the African people have their version of the “n” word used as a pejorative for white people.
Upon arriving at the orphanage he sees dirty ill feed children struggling to stay alive. Eventually one boy oddly named “Benson” captures the interest of Johnny. It doesn’t take long for the bond to grow and Johnny begins an internal struggle that results in his determination to bring his “son” home to America. Part of that process is to give the boy a new name, Odin. But there are so many obstacles.
Uganda is on the brink of civil war; the country does not officially allow adoption and considers homosexuals to be criminals. Turns out Johnny is gay. Also complicating matters is that while Johnny lives and works in the United States, or at least that part called Hollywood, he is an Irish citizen and not an American citizen. But alas Johnny O’Callaghan is now truly, deeply and thoroughly committed to “his son” Odin.
In a 90 minute one man performance now at the Victory Theatre Center (The Little Victory Theatre), 3326 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505 Johnny O’Callaghan masterfully walks the audience through each obstacle and its eventual resolution. Yes I know I said pretty much the same thing just above, but what you must not miss is that this a real story about a real Johnny O’Callaghan and a real young man by the name of Odin. This is not a script being acted; this is a heartfelt passionate story being brilliantly told by the man who lived it.
After the show most of the audience went to the next lobby for some refreshments. Johnny O’Callaghan came in to enthusiastic applause. But then there was Odin, the real life amazing young Ugandan boy now in America and the legal son of Johnny O’Callaghan. I shook the young man’s hand and he has a strong and positive grip. I also felt a strong shutter of joy just seeing those two men together. The true deep love was beautiful and omnipotent.
This is a beautiful and ultimately joyous presentation well worth everyone’s time to live the experience. But I do have a couple of warnings. It you are the kind of person who is super sensitive to “political correctness” you should stay home. Early in the presentation the “n” word is abundantly but in context appropriately used. There are also several rather explicit sexual references so you probably shouldn’t bring your 10 year old daughter. Actually I brought my 15 year old daughter and it was no problem for her but be cautioned about young and/or super sensitive people. And finally my only real negative is that it runs a bit long. Johnny O’Callaghan puts on one great performance, but 90 nonstop minutes is a bit daunting. Heck I might even get tired of looking at Jessica Alba after 90 minutes. Well probably not actually. It was mentioned at the beginning that they had considered an intermission. Give it a second thought.
The show runs from now through December 18th, 2011. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 4 pm. Ticket prices start at $24 and may be purchased at the door but reservations are highly recommended and may be made by calling 818-841-5422. You may also receive further information at www.thevictorytheatrecenter.org.
Please take a moment to subscribe to this EXAMINER. It is FREE. You will also enjoy a visit to my entertainment website at www.ronirwin.net. Click on the “FULL CATALOG” tab and search amongst 1000 titles of classic movies most not found anywhere else.
Comments