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Overview

Synopsis

Fleeing a troubled recent past, Archer returns home to Central Oregon amidst a time of confusion. Intent upon asserting his trans nature to a family who still thinks of him as “Angela,” he hesitates in the face of his ill father’s transition from life to death, and the very certainty of the local Ponderosas shattered by climate change-induced decay -- the world of his childhood is disintegrating quickly. As he wrestles with voicing his identity, Archer must contend with his grandmother’s gleeful matchmaking, his father’s self-destructive sugar binges, and his bereaved mother’s anger. He finds solace in a relationship with Owen, a sympathetic forestry student, and is able to gain some peace during their nightly trysts under the trees. The year wheels around, ghosts walk, and families break apart and re-form in this dreamy, magically realistic tale. Set under a cold, clear, end-of-year sky, and beneath the protective branches of a matriarchal pine, MJ Kaufman’s Sagittarius Ponderosa is a moving story about identity, family, and the passage of time, told in a voice that is poetic, delicate, and down to earth.

Note: For licensing, contact the Gersh Agency (Kate Navin) knavin@gersh.com

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2016
Genres
Drama, Fairy Tale/Fantasy
Settings
Contemporary, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
present (2010s), central oregon desert, a ponderosa pine forest, archer’s family home, grandma’s old folks home
Cast Size
small
Ideal For
Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters, Small Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Archer

Lead

Either Gender

Spoken

Pops

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Grandma

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Mom

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Owen

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Peterson

Featured

Male

Spoken

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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