Fruiting Bodies

See it if Quirky, off-beat drama about 2nd generation Asian American family Magic realism muddies better handled realistic elements on a handsome set

Don't see it if Despite some fine poetic writing, the subplots keep hallucinating (esp around father's onsite of dementia) The two daughters fare the best

See it if you'd like to see a strong play from an original, innovative young playwright.

Don't see it if you are looking for a fully naturalistic play: This piece plays with the form & has supernatural elements.

Also Now that I have seen productions of 2 full-length plays of Sam Chanse, last season’s “The Opportunities of Extinction” & the current “Fruiting Bodies,” I can say that I love this young playwright’s fearlessness, her ability to tinker with the most basic elements of theater (time, space, person) & still keep things clear, her psychological insight into flawed but deeply human characters, her ability to root today’s social problems in intimate relationships & well-constructed scenes, her love of nature, her ability to bring so much of the majesty of the nature she loves into a tiny theater space, her palpable sense of loss as the nature she loves erodes… For these reasons & more, theater-goers interested in where theater might be going will want to see this strong production of a memorable, imperfect but deeply affecting piece.... Read more Read less

See it if interested in Asian-American writers & cast, enjoy multi-generation family plays, want to learn a bit about mushrooms, see a woods-based set

Don't see it if you need straight-forward linear plot, confused by an actor playing several roles including a mushroom, don't like obvious family secrets

See it if hmmm, well. The actors are good and in a cool forest set while showing us lotsa family dynamics and searching for non-poisonous mushrooms.

Don't see it if Don’t want windy meditations/explications re fungi, family, aging, a gay son v a trad dad, more. It's odd posing as lyrical. Story unclear.

See it if you are interested in plots about family relationships and cultural issues.

Don't see it if you prefer larger productions or are sensitive to mental issues of aging parents.

See it if In the foggy enchanted forest, a mystical unfolding of 3 siblings' trajectories because of their semi-traditional father. Mixed race actors!

Don't see it if Family stories, daddy-ish issues coping with distant fathers, light magic / nonlinear time, or mixed race / hapa issues aren't your thing.

Also Ticket from website using discount code for $31.88.

See it if The poetic writing and significant family/societal themes provide some power and absorbing intrigue. Provocative production design.

Don't see it if Ultimately rambling, seems unfocused.

See it if you enjoy an exploration of family issues, father issues, sister issues... Asian-American actors... mushrooms... magical forest?

Don't see it if you don't enjoy somewhat fantastical elements... exploring family issues.

See it if / to be brought into a magical yet naturalistic and interesting family drama. Hapa (mixed-race Asian) actors playing hapa characters, a plus

Don't see it if you may want everything wrapped up in a bow at the end; don't like not getting all your questions answered.

See it if you enjoy seeing new plays, shows with strong direction, and quirky family dramas

Don't see it if you get confused by non-linear plot lines or would rather see a musical

Also It’s not my favourite play of Sam Chanse’s that I’ve seen/read, but there was enough there to keep my attention. Terrific performance from the always wonderful Thom Sesma. Shelley Butler’s direction was sharp and whimsical. The set was a delight. All the Marin/Bay Area references felt real and non-stereotypical. Not entirely sure what the message was, and it probably could have been a little shorter, but all in all it was an enjoyable evening.... Read more Read less

See it if a family story set against a backdrop of mushroom hunting sounds intriguing.

Don't see it if you dislike family dramas interwoven with nature.

Also While it seems like a typical family story in some ways (a tale of a father who loved his son much more than either of his daughters until he didn't), the family patriarch's love of mushroom hunting and what it meant to him and his relationship with his son casts the story in an interesting light. The acting is superb across the board, the characters well-written and the set is quite incredible.... Read more Read less

See it if you like family drama blends with magic realism, haunting past meets present, and mushroom hunting...

Don't see it if non-linear plots tend to confuse you.

See it if You are interested in current American family dynamics, history and comedy.

Don't see it if You are expecting a feel good, happy hollywood like show.

See it if You like your contemporary drama mixed with a little magical realism. And if you hunt mushrooms

Don't see it if You might have a problem with a giant talking mushroom

See it if Family funghi hunting for their Japanese-American identity."We're mixed,too,it's a big deal." And "No inner compass--a symbol for judgment."

Don't see it if Sprouts and spores and morrells, oh my! Family just struggles to be found by each other with the assist of tiresome talking mushroom boy.

Also "Yellowism was taking something that wasn't yours & making it your own."... Read more Read less

See it if mushrooms! magical forest! a very different kind of asian story! succeeded in bringing familiar character dynamics into the surreal

Don't see it if you're uninterested in monologues about mushrooms and art