By Old Globe – One of the Good Ones
Hair & Makeup: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Acting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Staging: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Scenic Design: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lighting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
With humor, heart, and a sharp cultural lens, Gloria Calderón Kellett’s One of the Good Ones delivers one of the season’s most satisfying theater experiences at The Old Globe. From its rich performances to its immersive design, this play hits all the right notes.
Stunning Set Design Creates an Immersive Theater Experience
Walking into One of the Good Ones at The Old Globe, you’re immediately struck by the sheer beauty of the set. Designed by Takeshi Kata, the two-story Pasadena home isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a living, breathing space that invites the audience into the world of this family. It feels real. It feels lived-in. And more than once, I caught myself thinking, “I’d live here.” From kitchen to front door to the upstairs landing, the actors move fluidly through the space in a way that mimics the rhythms of real family life—conversations that start in the kitchen and end in the living room, quiet moments by the front door, bursts of laughter echoing from the stairwell.
Exceptional Lighting and Production Design Elevate the Story
That sense of movement and realism is enhanced by Jaymi Lee Smith’s lighting design, which subtly tracks the progression of time—from bright daylight to the soft hues of evening filtering through frosted glass. A moment as simple as enchiladas finishing in the oven becomes theatrical, thanks to the production’s smart interplay of light and sound. The design never shouts for attention; instead, it works in harmony with the story, reinforcing mood and momentum without getting in the way.
Costumes by Sarita Fellows keep things grounded. They’re contemporary, honest, and character-driven—not flashy or elaborate, but appropriate to the world of the play. They reinforce who these people are without ever pulling focus, which feels exactly right for this production.
Outstanding Cast Performances Drive Emotional Impact
But what truly makes One of the Good Ones so memorable is the cast. Angelique Cabral plays Ilana, a mother navigating the painful realization that her cultural assimilation—once pushed on her as a necessity—has left her feeling disconnected. She’s warm, funny, and vulnerable, especially as she wrestles with not having learned Spanish in a family where her husband and daughter both speak it fluently. Cabral brings nuance and likability to a character who could’ve easily been flattened into a sitcom stereotype.
Benito Martinez, as Enrique, is captivating. Known to many from TV (9-1-1: Lone Star), Martinez is even more captivating live. Seeing him onstage—hearing that unmistakable voice in person—is something else. He embodies the complexities of a Latino father with conviction: loving, firm, funny, and occasionally frustrating. He’s a perfect anchor for the family’s emotional push and pull.
Nico Greetham (Dramarama) delivers scene-stealing laughs as Marcos, Yoli’s boyfriend. His comic timing is razor-sharp, and he plays the earnest, awkward outsider with real charm. His character might remind audiences of Jacob from Abbott Elementary—and I mean that in the best possible way. Greetham originated the role at Pasadena Playhouse, and it’s easy to see why he was brought back. He nails the humor without losing heart. His scenes with Martinez are among the show’s sharpest—there’s a push-and-pull between them that is both comedic and tense, as they feel each other out in quick-witted, tightly timed exchanges. It’s a credit to both actors and to Senior’s direction that these moments never feel forced. They just crackle.
Cree rounds out the core cast as Yoli, the daughter trying—sometimes a little too hard—to hold her family accountable. Her frustration at the erasure of culture, language, and identity feels justified and real, even when her delivery bristles. Cree captures that tricky balance: someone who loves her family deeply but can’t ignore the tension between tradition and assimilation.
Gloria Calderón Kellett’s Writing Balances Comedy with Cultural Depth
Directed by Kimberly Senior and written by Gloria Calderón Kellett (best known for One Day at a Time), the play is equal parts comedy and cultural reflection. Kellett’s background in television shines through—the pacing is crisp, the dialogue lands with punch, and the laughs are frequent. But underneath the sitcom sparkle is a story with real emotional weight. The play wrestles with questions that will resonate with many audiences: What does it mean to lose touch with your culture? Can you reclaim something you were taught to reject? And how do families bridge generational divides when the stakes are personal?
Final Verdict: One of the Good Ones is a Standout San Diego Theater Experience
One of the Good Ones is smart, funny, and genuinely moving. It feels like a pilot for the kind of show you’d love to binge—only this time, you get to see it live. It’s a production that radiates heart from the stage out into the audience, and it deserves to be seen.
What is One of the Good Ones about?
One of the Good Ones follows a Latino family navigating questions of cultural identity, assimilation, and generational differences. The story centers on Ilana, a mother who realizes her cultural assimilation has left her feeling disconnected from her heritage, particularly as she watches her husband and daughter speak Spanish fluently while she cannot.
Who wrote One of the Good Ones?
The play is written by Gloria Calderón Kellett, best known for her work on the Netflix series “One Day at a Time.” The production is directed by Kimberly Senior.
Where is One of the Good Ones playing?
The production is currently running at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego’s Balboa Park.
Who stars in One of the Good Ones?
The cast includes Angelique Cabral as Ilana, Benito Martinez (9-1-1: Lone Star) as Enrique, Nico Greetham (Dramarama) as Marcos, and Cree as Yoli.
Is One of the Good Ones appropriate for families?
While the play deals with mature themes around cultural identity and family dynamics, it’s primarily a comedy-drama that would be suitable for teens and adults. The content focuses on family relationships and cultural questions rather than explicit material.
How long is One of the Good Ones?
Runtime is 90 minutes with no Intermission
Is One of the Good Ones based on a true story?
While not explicitly autobiographical, the play draws from authentic experiences of Latino families dealing with assimilation and cultural identity in America.
What makes this production special?
The production features exceptional set design by Takeshi Kata that creates a realistic two-story home, outstanding lighting design by Jaymi Lee Smith, and strong performances from a cast that brings both comedy and emotional depth to complex family dynamics.
Did One of the Good Ones play anywhere else before The Old Globe?
Yes, Nico Greetham originated his role at Pasadena Playhouse before joining this Old Globe production.
What should I expect from One of the Good Ones?
Expect a smart, funny, and moving production that balances sitcom-style humor with genuine emotional weight. The play explores cultural identity and family relationships in a way that feels both entertaining and meaningful.