‘The Seafarer’Through Dec. 31Round House Theatre4545 East-West HighwayBethesda, MD 20814$46 – $83Roundhouse.org Irish dramatist Conor McPherson’s dark comedy “The Seafarer” puts an unexpected spin on home for the holidays.
Playing at Round House Theatre through New Year’s Eve, this 2006 work deals in matters of redemption, second chances, and unpleasant relations versus utter estrangement.
It’s the day before Christmas and Sharky Harkin (Chris Genebach) has returned to the rundown family house in a coastal town north of Dublin to help care for his older brother Richard (Marty Lodge), who’s recently lost his vision due to a liquor-fueled freak accident.
Sharky, no stranger to drinks, is currently on the wagon. The action begins when Richard, passed out on the tatty living room couch after yet another sightless night of heavy drinking, is awakened by the sounds of sober Sharky busily collecting empty bottles and other assorted detritus.