Production by brand-new All In Ensemble marks a strong start
Many of us go to the theatre merely to be entertained. However, in my decades of attendance, I have found that theatre can also be an educator as well. Such is the case with the inaugural production of the new theatre group All In Ensemble’s Sagittarius Ponderosa, being performed at Roaming Gnome Theatre in Aurora. The play by MJ Kaufman and directed by Tal Arnold is a straightforward work that sets forth various scenarios and provides insight into current events and human situations.
We now live in a world of acronyms used to define aspects of the human condition. All In Ensemble is committed to amplifying diversity among its members, particularly BlPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) as well as the LGBTQ+ community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus other sexual identities) and differently abled people. This is a far cry from my formative years when someone might simply be either gay or lesbian. Thank goodness for progress!
Sagittarius Ponderosa is the story of Archer (Gabi Glidewell) coming to grips with transitioning from Angela to Archer after having moved back to his childhood home. This would probably not be his first choice, but Pops (Clint Heyn) has become seriously ill, and Archer is compelled to return. We are also introduced to Mom (Lisa Deutsch) and Grandma (Kathi Baerns) at home during a Thanksgiving gratitude round-robin.
Archer struggles to share his newfound identity with his family when he meets Owen (Casey Johnston) underneath a mature ponderosa – a pine tree found in northwest America – and a friendship with benefits blossoms between the two. As the year goes on, Pops dies and slowly the rest of the family comes to appreciate Archer for who he really is. The play ends around the Thanksgiving table again with a recitation of what everyone is grateful for.
The play gives the audience a unique insight into the struggle a person goes through when coming to terms with one’s true identity. Kaufman’s script is cohesive, with fully developed characters, that jumps from scene to scene fluidly and tells a remarkable story along the way. It would have been helpful if the director tightened the action and moved at a quicker pace between scenes only to energize the performance for both the actors and the audience. Overall, the direction by Arnold was appropriately sympathetic to Archer’s journey and helped to clearly define each character’s response to Archer’s transition.
In the role of Archer, Glidewell gives a believable performance and moves easily from scene to scene. They are a nonbinary artist who has recently moved to Denver and is appearing on stage locally for the first time. Johnston is especially convincing as Owen and provides a solid base for Archer’s eventual transformation. As Pops, Heyn is both playful and understanding of Archer’s plight while Deutsch as Mom represents the force we come to expect from our mothers. Giving a strong performance is Baerns as Grandma, who in her slightly compromised state is continually trying to fix Archer up with a good man for possible marriage, much to Archer’s chagrin.
The setting designed by Luis Consuegra includes a very impressive ponderosa tree trunk on stage right that immediately becomes the focal point of Archer’s journey and newfound life.
Overall, Sagittarius Ponderosa is a satisfying production, both entertaining and educational, and is an impressive start for the All In Ensemble group. I am looking forward to the upcoming productions by this start-up and thank them for recognizing those who have remained faceless in the past.
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