by Charlsie-Kern Kruger

Playwright Jeffrey Lo is a Filipino-American playwright who is not just emerging but positively exploding over Bay Area theatre, with plays popping into production in theatres from the North Bay to the Peninsula. His current world premiere of “Writing Fragments Home” at Hillbarn Theatre, featuring leading Bay area actor Jomar Tagatac, is an excellent introduction to his work for those unfamiliar, and a real coup for the Hillbarn whose ongoing rise from community theatre towards leading professional venue has been startling and gratifying. You won’t find more professional theatre (a world premiere, no less) in the Bay area than this production of “Writing Fragments Home.”

Recently, the excellent efforts of Filipino-American theatre artists have been more and more on display, and “Writing Fragments Home,” the story of an ambitious young Filipino-American playwright coming to grips with his family history and personal identity, is a fine example.

As the play opens, Jay (Jomar Tagatac) finds his promising career in the doldrums, and shows up with suitcases at his mother’s home late one afternoon, before she comes home from work. His strategy is to surprise her with his visit, and perhaps butter her up a bit, before asking to move back into his old room. When his mother, Mary Gwen (Jen Cueva) finds him in the living room after a hard day’s work as an intensive care nurse, she gives him a healthy dose of tough love while harping on a well-worn theme: “Why don’t you become a nurse? You can always make a good living as a nurse! It’s not too late!” She lets him stay, but insists that he sleep on the living room couch, for fear that if she lets him back into his bedroom, he’ll never move out.

It is hardly an original premise, but it is made fresh by Lo’s well tuned ear for natural dialogue and excellent performances by Tagatac and Cuevas. Their mother-son chemistry is rich and complex, and these two actors have the skill to show their characters’ growth as their relationship deepens under pressure.

The family story is told through their shared memories, supplemented by the autobiographical play Jay is working on. As he writes, the characters he is creating appear on stage to interact with one another and with Jay. Brigette Losey and Jamiel St. Rose do well as the two actors. Also making a ghostly appearance is Jay’s father, Ronaldo, played charismatically by Jepoy  Ramos.

“Writing Fragments Home” deals with familiar themes of immigrant family history, parents and children, young ambition, and developing personal and artistic identity from a decidedly Filipino perspective. With its fresh dialogue, great production values, and conspiculously good acting, it is well worth a visit to the Hillbarn.

“Writing Fragments Home” continues through May 4, 2025. For further information click here.
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Rating: ***1/2 (For an explanation of TheatreStorm’s rating system, click here.)
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“Writing Fragments Home,” a world premire by Jeffrey Lo. Director: Reed Flores. Scenic Desinger: Christopher Fitzer. Lighting Designer: Pamila Gray. Soun Designer: Alan Chang. Properties Designer: Stephanie Ditbern.

Cast

Mary  Gwen: Jen Cuevas. Actress: Brigitte Losey. Ronaldo: Jepoy Ramos. Actor: Jamiel St. Rose. Jay: Jomar  Tagatac.