To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday by Michael Brady
Directed by Barbara Andree
“To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday” is the story of David and Gillian and their 16-year-old daughter, Rachel. The play takes place at the summer cottage where two years earlier, Gillian died in a freak sailboat accident on her birthday. Since that shocking moment, David has been lost in his grief; his dreams have been shattered and he has isolated himself from everything—including Rachel. The play highlights the ties that bind parents to children, husbands to wives, and the larger circle of friends and family. As the play takes place during one weekend at David’s Nantucket cottage, we learn that Esther, Gillian’s older sister, and her husband, Paul, are coming to visit. They are bringing a single woman friend hoping to break through David’s apathy. But this weekend, unfortunately coincides with Gillian’s birthday and the anniversary of her death. Many issues come to light, begging to be dealt with: coping with death and grief, parenting, boundaries, and life choices. The play uses humor and insight to go deeply into our hearts. This play was written in 1983 and the Movie was released in 1996.
