'Father/Son and Holy Ghost'
Kelly Folkers
Issue date: 10/21/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment
John Davidson’s news play Father/Son and Holy Ghost is a production that Denison wants its students to see.
The semi-autobiographical play is a journey back in time that explores Davidson’s relationship with his father, an ordained Baptist minister. Davidson wrote the play to express things he wanted to say to his father but never did.
Davidson, a 1963 Denison alumus, premiered his play Oct. 15-19 over homecoming. Jonathan Reynolds, class of 1965, directed the play, and Robert C. Armstrong ’63 and Mary Kay Williams Booher ’64 co-starred with Davidson.
The play begins with Davidson’s soliloquy reflecting upon his relationship with his father. His words provoke thoughtful laughter in the audience as he explains what it was like to be a preacher’s child. He explains his belief that every father and son must have some kind of confrontation to become closer. Never having had this altercation, he creates it for his own personal catharsis.
Armstrong portrays Davidson’s father as an intellectual pastor who is emotionally uninvolved with his three sons. Davidson plays himself in his college years, returning from college over spring break to become re-baptized in the church.
The contrast in dogma is obvious as the two discuss John’s doubts about his faith. The difference between John and his father is so obvious that the play borders on stereotyping conservative Christian belief and scientific, rational thought. However, when the character of John mentions his brother suicide, the play takes a much more personal and unexpected turn.
Davidson distinguishes some major contradictions between the Bible and the tenets of Christian faith. Regarding his brother’s suicide, the Davidson’s character finds the Bible verse that condemns people who commit suicide to hell. Despite his father’s belief in the Bible as the word of God, he is convinced his son ascended into heaven.
It is clear that Davidson wrote his play to express emotions about his brother’s death and his suppressed relationship with his father.
The Denison community is fortunate that Davidson wanted to produce his play over homecoming weekend. Even though the differences between John and his father are almost too obvious at times, the play would not make its point without being so apparent. No matter what the audience thought, Davidson’s work is sure to spark discussion.
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The semi-autobiographical play is a journey back in time that explores Davidson’s relationship with his father, an ordained Baptist minister. Davidson wrote the play to express things he wanted to say to his father but never did.
Davidson, a 1963 Denison alumus, premiered his play Oct. 15-19 over homecoming. Jonathan Reynolds, class of 1965, directed the play, and Robert C. Armstrong ’63 and Mary Kay Williams Booher ’64 co-starred with Davidson.
The play begins with Davidson’s soliloquy reflecting upon his relationship with his father. His words provoke thoughtful laughter in the audience as he explains what it was like to be a preacher’s child. He explains his belief that every father and son must have some kind of confrontation to become closer. Never having had this altercation, he creates it for his own personal catharsis.
Armstrong portrays Davidson’s father as an intellectual pastor who is emotionally uninvolved with his three sons. Davidson plays himself in his college years, returning from college over spring break to become re-baptized in the church.
The contrast in dogma is obvious as the two discuss John’s doubts about his faith. The difference between John and his father is so obvious that the play borders on stereotyping conservative Christian belief and scientific, rational thought. However, when the character of John mentions his brother suicide, the play takes a much more personal and unexpected turn.
Davidson distinguishes some major contradictions between the Bible and the tenets of Christian faith. Regarding his brother’s suicide, the Davidson’s character finds the Bible verse that condemns people who commit suicide to hell. Despite his father’s belief in the Bible as the word of God, he is convinced his son ascended into heaven.
It is clear that Davidson wrote his play to express emotions about his brother’s death and his suppressed relationship with his father.
The Denison community is fortunate that Davidson wanted to produce his play over homecoming weekend. Even though the differences between John and his father are almost too obvious at times, the play would not make its point without being so apparent. No matter what the audience thought, Davidson’s work is sure to spark discussion.
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