John Is a Father

Reviewed by Neal Weaver
Road Theatre on Lankershim
Extended through July 16

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John (Sam Anderson), the title character in Julie Marie Myatt’s long one-act, is a bitter and guilt-ridden man. A hard-drinking womanizer and jail-bird, he became a father, but a very reluctant one.

John married Gloria (whom we never see), who was determined to change him into a well-behaved suburban husband), a fate he regarded as worse than death. When she gave birth to their son, John felt desperate and hopelessly trapped, and discharged his anger and frustration by beating both wife and son.

When she could take it no longer, Gloria took their son and fled. John remained estranged from his wife and child for decades. The son grew up, joined the marines, and married Patricia (Hillary J. Schwartz), a fellow marine. When Patricia realized she was pregnant, she returned to civilian life to take care of her child. Her husband was sent to Afghanistan and killed there. Patricia, having heard all the horror stories about John from her husband and Gloria, did not invite him to the funeral. So John has never seen his grandson Reggie (Elliot Decker, alternating with Jackson Cole Dollinger).

Now John is older, and time has banked the fires of passion. Once there’s no longer hope for reconciliation with his son, he’s wracked with guilt and regret. He’s laid off the booze and been sober for five years.  Perhaps to assuage his guilt and loneliness, he’s befriended a cantankerous homeless man, Edward (Mark Costello), who lives on the street. John visits him every day and keeps him supplied with apples and bananas.

Meanwhile, Patricia is having second thoughts. Perhaps she should hear John’s side of the story. And little Reggie is fascinated by his absent grandfather. He needs a man in his life since all the others — his father, Patricia’s father, and her brothers and uncles — have died. So Patricia invites John to Phoenix to meet his grandson at last. John is both eager to meet the boy and filled with fear and trepidation.

In the play’s funniest scene, John meets an older gay couple at the airport. Kenneth (Carl J. Johnson) is an eternal fuss-budget —  scatterbrained, nosy, and sympathetic to a fault. His partner, Doug (John Gowans), is ruefully resigned to dealing with Kenneth’s eccentricities, and tolerates them with as much dignity as he can muster.

When John arrives at Patricia’s apartment, Reggie is not at home, though he’s expected shortly. And Patricia’s reception of John is complicated. She’s eager to befriend and forgive him, but she’s also suspicious and intent on confronting him about his past misdeeds. He abjectly admits his failings and makes no attempt to defend himself. When asked why he beat his son, he replies simply, “Because I could.” Finally the boy comes home, and their much anticipated meeting occurs.

Myatt’s play is skillful and insightful but oddly constructed, since most of the action is in the back-story. The piece seems almost like a series of interconnected one-act plays: John’s encounter with homeless Edward, his meeting with the gay couple, his reunion with Patricia and Reggie. His face-to-face with Patricia is effective, but goes on too long. And the meeting between John and Reggie, which ought to be climactic, is over almost before it begins.

Director Don Bonnell gives the piece a loyal and finely honed production that underscores all its nuances, and he has cast it admirably. Sam Anderson deftly plumbs the depths of John’s guilt and regret. As homeless Edward, Costello captures the thorny spirit of a man who must accept other people’s charity, but refuses to be remotely humble about it. Johnson and Gowans contribute a deliciously funny portrait of a longtime gay couple. Schwartz’s Patricia is a tough, smart, but good-hearted woman intent on doing whatever is best for her son. And Decker is touchingly effective in his all-too-brief scene.

The Road Theatre Company on Lankershim, 5108 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood.; Thurs., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 p.m.;  Sun., 7 p.m.; through July 3. Performances for the extension are Thurs.-Sat. 8 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m. (with two additional performances added on Fri. June 24 & Fri. July 1); through July 16 (818) 761-8838 or www.RoadTheatre.org.  Running time: One hour and 30 minutes, with no intermission.