Last Stop on
Market Street Review by Mariah L. Richardson
T
he first thing that you take in when you walk into the theater of this production by Metro Theater Company, is the colorful set, designed by Peter and Margery Spack, of a street scene that will be our world for the next hour. Reminiscent of another street that many grew up on, Sesame Street. Then you hear a familiar sound, the pulse of bass that is soundtrack of urban living. That contagious beat that tells you that you are about to experience something fantastical and amazing.
In, Last Stop on Market Street, adapted for the stage by Cheryl L. West and book by Matt la Pena, seven-yearold CJ has been dropped off at his nana’s house while his parents have a much-needed vacation. Most likely from raising him. He is quite a handful, with his insatiable need for his electronic devices and his phone. So, he finds himself at his grandmother’s house where there are no pets, and she cooks meat. “I’m a vegetarian!” CJ wails. The day has not started off well because everything around CJ is different from what’s at his house and his neighborhood. He finds that were Nana lives is noisy and dirty and there are scary strangers. Then the worst thing in the world that could happen. Nana takes away his precious devices. He protests as loudly and as politely as he can to get them back. Afterall, Mommy told him to be a good boy. But how can he when he’s stuck in a place where the couch is covered in plastic and the walls are painted in all kinds of patterns and colors and worst of all, there’s nothing to do? Biut, Nana has a surprise for CJ. They take an adventure through the city on the bus. CJ has never ridden a city bus. There he encounters people like he’s never seen. And he must confront his own pre-conceived notions of who people are based on how they look. The musical numbers on the bus speak to looking beyond the surface and accepting people right where they are. CJ is having a great time dancing and singing until they reach the last stop on Market Street, and he discovers that he has left his backpack on the bus. The backpack filled with all his devices that he “stole” back from Nana. Then all the new lessons go right out the window. He is back to pouting and being a brat. And on top of that, the surprise that Nana has for him is an even dirtier part of town and a soup kitchen. CJ is having none of that. Until Nana, in old-skool style, checks his attitude and tells him he better get his life right. She tells him to look around and find beauty.
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This what this lively musical is all about. Finding beauty and feeling gratitude for what you have and empathy when you find that some people just don’t have. This is a big lesson for CJ, but he comes through with flying colors. He finds it in his heart to share and learns the meaning of what real friendship with real people is like. Now CJ is serving up love. The show is directed by the incomparable, Jacqueline Thompson. The great musical talent, Denise Thimes, makes her return to acting and playing Nana. She is a no holds barred granny that reminds you of how grandmothers ruled back in the day. Daniel McRath is the perfect choice for CJ and his voice is angelic. The ensemble: Robert Crenshaw, Valentina Silva, Cameron Tyler, and Tyler White all bring the community to life. Tyler White is especially great as the street philosopher bus driver. “Be good, like you know you should.” Christopher Page-Sanders put the whole cast through the motions as Choreographer/Movement Director. The idea of the moving bus was genius. This cast can really move. Music Director, Philip A. Woodmore, Ph.D. had all the sounds, and the score was perfect. Rounding out the show were the fun costumes by Felia Davenport. Last Stop on Market Street, is a beloved children’s’ book written Matt de la Peña and Illustrated by Christian Robinson. It was adapted for the stage by Cheryl L. West. Music and Lyrics by Lamont Dozier and Paris Ray Dozier. Digital Recording and Underscoring by Paris Ray Dozier Originally commissioned and produced by Chicago Children’s Theatre and the Children’s Theatre Company. Runs: February 6—27, 2022 at the Grandel Theatre 3610 Grandel Square, St. Louis, MO 63103 The production is approximately 75 minutes with no intermission. Ideal for ages 5 and up.
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