A 60-something, widowed, Jewish professor, Julius, and his 18-year-old granddaughter, Abby, try living together and find there are surprises on both sides of the generation gap. The play, The Grandkid, by Canadian playwright, screenwriter and teacher John Lazarus opens at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons on March 26 in a production by Driftwood Players.
The granddaughter, played by Laura Simons, arrives in Ontario for her first year of college and moves in with her grandfather. But she’s come with some baggage — there is tension between Abby and her father, Julius’ son, whose philandering ways she discloses to Julius. She frowns on her grandfather’s interest in women so soon after his wife’s death. There’s an interesting age dynamic at work in this play. Are men of his age not supposed to look around a bit, asks Julius. He doesn’t see the harm in it.
“The play is so intelligently written,” said the other lead performer, Brian Harbison, who plays Julius, the professor.
Director David Short agrees. It covers many themes: politics, religion, Palestine, family fidelity and hockey. The sport is Abby’s passion — until she meets Noah, a potential boyfriend.
“It’s also about love and commitment and humour,” Short said.
Fortunately, the odd couple’s relationship is tempered by much love.
This is an adult play and the director warns that coarse language is used. The cast is small, the set is simple, but the play packs a punch and comes to a touching conclusion. Jeanne Hage and Radhika Samwald assist with stage management.
The play opens Thurs-day, March 26 with a pay-as-you-can preview and runs March 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. and again on April 3 and 4. Matinées run March 29 and April 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20, online at driftwoodplayers.ca or at The Blackberry Shop and Laedeli in Gibsons and the Sechelt Visitor Info Centre.
