Events for February 15, 2026

OCTA is a 501c3 organization that began in 1973. Through the strength and dedication of our community and the help of our invaluable volunteers, we continue to share high-quality, thoughtful theatre with Olathe and the greater Kansas City area. The Father is a critically acclaimed play by French playwright Florian Zeller, translated by Christopher Hampton, that explores dementia through the disorienting experience of its protagonist, André, a retired dancer. The play uses a fragmented, non-linear structure, with shifting characters and settings, to mirror André's confusion as he struggles with memory loss and questions his reality, leading to a poignant and heartbreaking look at aging and family dynamics. It premiered in Paris in 2012 and has since been staged internationally, winning numerous awards, and was adapted into a successful 2020 film starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman.  Key aspects of the play Plot: An elderly man, André, resists his daughter Anne's help as his memory deteriorates, leading to a confusing reality where people and places change, and he questions who he can trust.  Structure: The play is a "tragic farce" that uses repetition and shifting perspectives to create a sense of disorientation for the audience, making them experience André's confusion firsthand.  Themes: Identity, memory, aging, the parent-child relationship, and the cruelties and complexities of love.  Characters: The roles of Anne and her partner are played by different actors throughout the play, further disorienting both André and the audience.  Impact: It is praised for its powerful and empathetic portrayal of dementia, making the experience accessible and deeply moving for the audience.  Film adaptation Zeller co-wrote and directed the 2020 film adaptation, which won Academy Awards for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins).