THE JOURNEY AFTER THE JOURNEY

P. Carl’s autobiographical drama explores
what happens after becoming the person
you’ve always known yourself to be

Laura Domingo and Petey Gibson

Z Space continues its tradition of presenting challenging new work with Becoming A Man, playwright P. Carl‘s semi-autobiographical drama about gender transition and its impact on family, friendships, and long-term relationships. Directed by Lyam B. Gabel, this thoughtful and engaging production succeeds because it focuses not on the transition itself, but on what comes afterward. Carl’s journey may be personal, but the questions the play asks about identity, change, and love are universal.

As the story opens, Carl (Petey Gibson) is embracing life as a man. He delights in his scruffy facial hair, enjoys being perceived as male, and throws himself into traditionally masculine pursuits, including working out with his trainer Eddie (Eric Esquivel-Gutierrez). But while Carl finally feels at home in his own skin, those closest to him are still adjusting to the changes in their lives.

The person most affected is Carl’s longtime wife Lynette, portrayed with warmth and emotional honesty by Laura Domingo. She has supported Carl throughout every stage of his transition, but now finds herself confronting an unexpected reality: as a woman who strongly identifies as lesbian, she suddenly appears to be in a heterosexual marriage. The play wisely focuses much of its attention on this relationship, examining the ways profound personal growth can also create distance between people who love one another deeply.

Shoana T. Hunt, Petey Gibson and Erin Gould

Carl’s evolving relationship with his aging parents presents another challenge. His father (Erin Gould) is battling cancer while his mother (JoAnne Winter) struggles with Alzheimer’s disease. They clearly need help with their deteriorating health, but Carl is frustrated that they aren’t paying enough attention to his new male identity, so the play suggests that his focus on his own transformation occasionally blinds him to the difficulties facing those around him. Rather than presenting Carl as a flawless protagonist, P. Carl allows himself to be vulnerable enough to reveal his own shortcomings.  While I understand the point the play is trying to make, having lost both of my own parents to dementia, I found this one of the weaker aspects of the script. In these scenes, Carl’s behavior occasionally comes across as narcissistic, bordering on insufferable.

One of the play’s most effective devices is Carl’s ongoing dialogue with his former self, Polly (Shoana T. Hunt). Appearing almost like a ghost from the past, Polly serves as a reminder that personal struggles do not simply disappear after surgery. These scenes add depth and humor while underscoring the notion that becoming oneself is a lifelong process.

Carl also finds support from his best friend Nathan (Casimir Kotarski), another trans man who provides perspective, companionship, and a living example that transition does not necessarily have to destroy the relationships that matter most.

Laura Domingo, Joanne Winter and Petey Gibson

While Becoming A Man centers on the experience of one transgender individual, its themes extend well beyond gender identity. The play asks whether the people we love can grow alongside us when we change, and whether becoming our truest selves sometimes comes at a cost. Those questions resonate regardless of one’s personal background.

The trans community has made significant strides in recent years, yet current political realities continue to create uncertainty and fear. In that context, Becoming A Man feels particularly timely. The fact that several performers are themselves transgender lends additional authenticity to the production and helps ground the story in lived experience.

Kudos to Z Space for providing a venue where P. Carl can tell his story. Arriving just in time for Pride Month, Becoming A Man offers Bay Area audiences an opportunity to engage with a thoughtful, deeply personal work that ultimately affirms our shared humanity.

Shoana T. Hunt and Petey Gibson

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photos by Kayleigh McCollum

Becoming A Man
Z Space
Steindler Stage, 450 Florida Street in San Francisco
ends on June 14, 2026
for tickets, visit Z Space

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