Due to popular demand, Johnny O’Callaghan extends the run of his solo show “Who’s Your Daddy” at the Victory Theatre Center in Burbank, where it will play for five additional weekends, from January 20 through February 19, 2012.
“Who’s Your Daddy” chronicles the writer-actor’s journey to Uganda where he sets out to assist a friend with the filming of her documentary, not knowing that his true purpose is to adopt an orphan.
He could not have known that the moment he was to meet a particular ailing three year-old boy he would immediately recognize him as his son.
He could not have known that the ensuing nine months, which is the typical gestation period for a pregnant mother, would bring him, a gay man, in a politically volatile and sexually restrictive nation, more than a bit of morning sickness.
While O’Callaghan’s talent for both writing and performing is immense, he does put into this single show too many stories from his life as though this might be the last chance he has to express himself.
But this hunger to capture all is the same voraciousness with which O’Callaghan pursues the adoption of Odin, his now nine year-old son, and O’Callaghan’s charisma, wit and heart do off-set any story clutter.
While the bulk of the show, which is directed by kindred spirit Tom Ormeny, is set in Uganda, and the trip is framed by the making of O’Callaghan’s friend’s documentary, it would perhaps be fitting to include photos or videos of the excursion in addition to, or in lieu of, the few moderately audible sound clips. The deft stage set, designed by Lucan Melkonian, and the detailed stories about the many obstacles overcome in Uganda tease the senses, and any audience is apt to crave additional visual reinforcement.
And O’Callaghan’s transitions between and among his many characters at times yields some confusion.
Nonetheless, despite any theatrical flaws, O’Callaghan’s unparalleled zest and the import of his astounding story are more than reason enough to see and be inspired by “Who’s Your Daddy?”
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