Sagittarius Ponderosa

See it if you're interested in transgender issues, but don't want to be preached at.

Don't see it if you are uncomfortable with gender non-conformity, death or illness.

See it if Want to see a great cast tell a story about family and making connections .

Don't see it if you don't want to read into the text because this plays suspends disbelief a few times.

See it if You want to see a quiet, quirky play about a family in transition, and the careful re-calibration of relationships.

Don't see it if If you're looking for an explosive play about gender identity.

Also MJ Kaufman's play is a lyrical attempt at mapping how a family navigates transition, in gender, love, and when death comes knocking. Her writing is fractured, purposely so, shifting from one location to another. She also mixes in a bit of magic realism, and a bunraku-like puppet who becomes the object of affection for a lonely, hard-of-hearing grandmother. All these elements combine for a meditative time in the theater.

Ken Rus Schmoll's direction embraces the play's quiet lyricism -- to a fault. His deliberately slow pacing, while seemingly justified, robs the play of any propulsion. Each scene resets the play, and there is little accrual of narrative. The ramp staging also makes it feel like you're watching a tennis match, in slow motion. It's a near-fatal miscalculation by the director.

Thankfully, there are the outstanding performances from Mia Katigbak, and Virginia Wing. They carry the heart of this play.... Read more Read less

See it if you believe in love in all its forms - family, romantic, young, old, etc. Moment to moment the plot seems simple, but the message is complex

Don't see it if everyday life bores you. The characters proceed through their obligations while holding to hope so discover small miracles of connection.

See it if A sweet love story and family tale. First preview-- compelling but confusing. Not clear to me if Angela/Archer wants to be female or male.

Don't see it if Richly talented all-Asian cast tho characters are not necessarily Asian. Dreamlike staging. One character was a puppet, but I don't know why

See it if / Small family dramedy. Asian actors playing characters whose race does not matter, a plus. Clever handling of trans issues, and yearning.

Don't see it if you get confused somewhat easily; you don't like surrealism.

Also We saw Christopher Reyes go on last-minute for Daniel K. Isaac and he was great! This is a great small, established theater company to support. Sustained quality.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see an exquisitely-crafted portrait of a family's experience of grief; if you want to see a complex trans* character onstage;

Don't see it if you need plays to be tightly-plotted & clearly-resolved; if you don't truck w/ enigmatic dialogue; if you don't want to go WAY downtown

See it if You like modern, minimalist storytelling with great acting.

Don't see it if You like exposition and very clear-cut storytelling.