"My dad was just the same." He was 48 when I was born and died of cancer at 72 when I was 24. ("Me mam" died 5 years later).jdmag44 wrote:At it's center the story of Billy is the story of a Father and son. When I was about Billy's age (13yo) I lost my Dad to cancer. I was devastated. He was my hero and mentor. He was old enough to be my grandfather
On a separate note, my dad never suggested I was a "fruit", but he did use gay slurs at times in my presence, and so I never told him I was a, well, a Michael. Didn't tell him I was a "puff" until he was in the coffin at the funeral home. So for me, I had an Act I dad, and our relationship never got to Act II.
I say all this by way of just agreeing with you that the father/son story in this musical is a major theme for me and many people who come to see the show. I'm forever grateful to the men who have so admirably performed the role of "Dad" over the years, and I thank Jackie Elliot for his support of Billy with the same heart as I thank my Dad for everything he did for me growing up.
Sean