It likely takes someone like Jeffrey Lo, a Filipino himself and someone who writes, directs and also works with several Peninsula theaters in various capacities, to create such a warm, thoughtful play as “Writing Fragments Home” that tugs at our heartstrings. The near-capacity opening night audience at Hillbarn Theater last Friday night not only gave it a standing ovation but found so much to love about this special story.
What’s exceptional about this production is not only the story itself, but also the care with which Hillbarn Theater has produced it. Five fine actors (most especially Jen Cuevas as the mother, Mary Gwen, as well as Jomar Tagatac as her son, Jay) top the list for their strong, meaningful performances.
Director Reed Flores does an exceptional job of pushing his actors to find the right emotion throughout the play, while scenic designer Christopher Fitzer creates a warm and inviting set (the entryway and living and dining room of Mary Gwen’s home).
Nolan Miranda has come up with the right clothes for all of the actors to wear, most especially Mary Gwen’s many different nurse outfits that she wears to work each day. Both Pamila Gray’s lighting and Alan Chang’s sound add a lot to “Home” as well.
The crux of the storyline is that both Mary Gwen and her late husband, Ronaldo (nicely underplayed by Jepoy Ramos) sarificed a lot to leave the Philippines and their families to move to the United States. As Mary frequently reminds her son, “We did it for you. We wanted you to have a better life. This is when our story began: When we came to America.”
That’s why Mary is so concerned that their only child, Jay, has spent his life trying to write plays that have not been chosen to be produced. “You’re 40 now – the same age I was when we moved here,” she tells him. “You have a bachelor’s degree in playwriting – and now you’ve come back home. Why?”
Jay admits that he’s come back to his family home because he’s lost his job and has nowhere else to go. While allowing him to stay (for two months only, she says), he has to sleep on the living room couch so he doesn’t get too comfy! She also admonishes him that he should have considered a different kind of profession – like hers: Nursing. “You know what never goes away? Sickness!!” she declares.
If possible, take the time to go see this wonderful production before it ends on Sunday, May 4.
l
Runtime for Writing Fragments Home is approximately two hours with one intermission.
Hillbarn Theater, 1285 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City, CA 94404 Shows: Tuesdays: 7:30 p.m.; Wednesdays: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays: 8 p.m. Saturdays: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sundays: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Closes: Sunday, May 4. For tickets, call 650.349.6411 or visit www.hillbarntheatre.org