Testcafe can see button but not click on it

In a testcafe test how can I click on an element that is clearly clickable (with t.debug() I'm able to click on the element) and visable without using ClientFunction, or t.eval -- these "workarounds" recommended in testcafe's github issues do not work.

Some additional considerations:

• the Selector is verified as correct (and I tried various types of selectors)
• testcafe version 1.8.4
• I've tried various t.wait times before and after selection and click
• I've tried changing the element type (<button> to <div>, etc)