A-LISTS theatreby tony reverditto
orn in Dublin and educated in Belfast, Johnny O’Callaghan has performed in Ire- land, Canada and the U.S. and is a citizen of all three. His New York theater credits include the sold-out hit Ladies and Gents, an Irish noir thriller performed in the Bethesda Fountain restrooms in New York’s Central Park; the U.S. premiere ofRun & Vodka, a one-man show that was subsequently filmed by HBO and NBC;Howie
The Rookieat the Irish Arts Centre; and the recurring role of Stephen Dedalus in Bloomsday on Broadway. In Los Angeles, he starred in Martin McDonagh’s, The Lonesome West at the Odyssey Theatre, earning praise for his “sensitive performance” and labeled “a find” by the Los Angeles Times, and he performs regularly with California’s Artists Radio Theatre. Who’s Your Daddy? is a world premiere autobiographical dramedy about this single, gay
man’s struggle to adopt a starving child in a foreign country against all odds. Ironically, a country that is arguably the most homophobic country in the world (homosexuality is against the law there and punishable by death)—not to mention that foreigners are usu- ally not permitted to take Ugandan children out of the country in the first place. Today, O’Callaghan has a masters in psychology with an emphasis in healing, and
is currently in private practice. An avid athlete, he recently participated in the Maui and Malibu Triathlons. He and his son, now a healthy, happy, soccer-playing fourth grader, live together in Los Angeles. Your back-story is quite fascinating and I thank you for taking the time to answer some questions. I also congratulate you for using the stage as a means to cultivate awareness to single gays and others who may be interested in adopting. Let’s jump back in time for a moment, when did your interest in acting first begin? I first started acting at University in Belfast. I was part of a theatre company that brought
Protestant and Catholic actors together to create plays relevant to the community. It was a great experience—we would spend a year on each play and then tour with it. Great fun! You mentioned in a press release that when you went with a friend to assist on a documentary shoot in Uganda, you were stunned by what you saw; when you think back, what was the most shocking thing? Probably the image of coffins along the side of the road—and baby coffins.
You didn’t go to Africa with a notion to adopt, but when you saw Odin, you said that there was an instant connection. What was it about him that stood out from the other children? He shared everything he had with others. I remember taking him into the village to get
KFATHERNOWS BEST!
“The importance of following your heart, it will never lead you astray. Also, to believe in yourself and you can overcome anything.”
22 RAGE monthly | NOVEMBER 2011
a Coca Cola and he pointed at bread. He wanted the bread and when we got back to the orphanage he put slices of bread on all the cots in the orphanage. It was very sweet. It is six years later, what inspired you to finally turn this into a story for the stage? I met him six years ago, although it took nine months to get him here. People are always
fascinated to hear how I created my family. When I adopted him, I started raising him straight away, of course. I had forgotten how difficult and crazy the process actually was. I never really dealt with it and as time passed it seemed hilarious. The fact that I never gave up on him—no matter what obstacle was presented—is kind of wild. What profound thing has Odin taught you that perhaps you may never have realized? To appreciate my own parent and the cycle of life, what a gift it is to raise a child. I guess
Odin has shown me how important it is to be present—he demands my attention. Adopt- ing him was following my heart—a couple of years later—I followed my heart and I went back to school to do a masters in psychology and have a meditation therapy practice now too. The experience has taught me to always follow my heart. Often in life, we are thrown curve balls, which sometimes send us in another direction—how has this experience altered your approach to the unknown? I like the unknown, I have travelled and lived around the world—it is exciting. I believe
the world is always conspiring in my favor—no matter what. What advice do you give to those considering adoption? Go for it—there is never a perfect time. Think about international adoption—there are so
many orphans in Africa. What do you hope audiences take away from this production? The importance of following your heart, it will never lead you astray. Also, to believe in
yourself and you can overcome anything. I have a website;
johnnyocallaghan.com for more acting information or feel free to call me. Thanks. Thank you!
Who’s Your Daddy? Runs through Sunday, December 18 at The Little Victory Theatre, 3326 W. Victory Boulevard in Burbank. For tickets call 818-841-5422 or
visitthevictorytheatrecenter.org.
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