Last Stop on Market Street @ Talespinner Children's Theatre

 Last Stop on Market Street is an upbeat, heartwarming, and surprisingly complex story about seeing beauty in difference, making friends out of strangers, and finding love in community.

With sharp direction from Rebecca Burcher and beautiful music direction from Heather Utsler-Smith, the adaptation of a well-known children's book by the same name (authored by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson, adapted for the stage by Cheryl L. West) tells the tale of 7 year old CJ, who is forced to spend 96 hours (not a minute more!) with his outgoing and community-centric Nana. We follow CJ through this strange neighborhood where his grandmother lives, sans his electronic comfort items, as he meets strangers who become friends when he looks at them through the eyes of community and love. Ryanne Fury and Andy Zicari provide excellent production stage management. 

Diwe Augustin-Glave plays CJ beautifully and truthfully, an anxious and easily overwhelmed child who is unsure how to interact with this strange world. Neda Spears plays Nana with an unflappable joviality and doting sweetness that makes audiences long to call their own grandmothers if they still can. She reminds me of my own mom, who I always say could make friends with a brick wall, knows the name of every dog on the block, and has your life story in her hands within minutes of meeting you. CJ and Nana experience a culture clash we see play out in various ways - CJ doesn't speak Spanish, Nana doesn't allow electronics, CJ is hesitant to talk to strangers, and Nana says things CJ cannot understand, even in English ("lay some sugar on your grandma"). But throughout the piece, CJ learns to appreciate the differences in the strangers he meets - he learns to see with his ears, find similarities with what seems quite different, join in in the dance and song of the community, and not to judge by appearance as he makes new friends. The ensemble of Kailyn Mack, Darnell Weaver, (these two also directed the show's excellent choreography), Sara Chapman, Quincy Brame, and Karl Kimpo, brought incredible soul to this piece, their singing and dancing providing a wonderful accompaniment to the journey of CJ and Nana. 

The scenic design by Joshua Smith is classic Talespinner with an iconic mural backdrop (gorgeously, meticulously painted by Ren Twardzik) and simple set pieces that work effectively into one's imagination, with the ensemble providing Broadway-level sharpness in their quick and effective set changes. Colors abound - a red and yellow bookshelf, blue bench, and a rainbow umbrella. The costumes, designed by Jaclyn Vogel, are as colorful as the set and bring a tangible complementary energy to the set and action. I loved the Madame Butterfly costume! Sound design by Daniel Zilka is alternatingly tender and upbeat, matching the visual elements well. Talespinner continues to shine and lead in the Cleveland theatre community in its accessibility design, designed for this show by Heather Utsler-Smith and Ryanne Fury. There are sign language interpreters and audio descriptions at some performances, flashing lights indicating loud sounds and intense movement, sensory stations for overwhelmed little ones, and more. Children of all abilities and needs can enjoy this show.

A few more things I loved about this piece:

• closing my eyes along with CJ when prompted to hear the sirens, birds, wind, chatter, and more
• how Nana not only finds the beauty in underresourced places and people, but she brings it with her
• the integration of the songs into the action - as a non-musical kind of performer myself, I can grow weary easily of musical numbers, but I felt excited by them in this show
• the reminder to put down my own electronics more often and pay attention, pay attention
• the additional reminder to welcome a conversation with a stranger - you never know what similarities you may find
• the huge tears I shed at the end of the piece, spurred by Diwe's gentle portrayal of CJ's loving generosity 
• the weasel named Samantha, of course

If you have kids age 6-12, take them to see this piece, and talk with them afterwards about what they discovered. If you don't, take yourself to go see this piece - you'll be surprised what you discover, too. 

​Last Stop on Market Street runs March 16-24 at the Rainey Institute.