Brittany Patillo, Keith McGill, Casey Cole, Gayle King, Xavier Mikall, Tai Rosenblatt in Last Stop on Market Street. Photo: Stageone

Last Stop on Market Street

Based on the book by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson
Adapted for the stage by Cheryl L. West.
Music & lyrics by Lamont Dozier & Paris Ray Dozier
Directed by Tyler Tate

A review by Keith Waits

Entire contents are copyright © 2022 by Keith Waits. All rights reserved.

7-year-old CJ (Xavier Mikal) is an African-Latinx kid living in the affluent suburbs. While his parents are traveling, he is sent to stay with his Abuela, Nana Teacat, (Gayle King) in the city and is not happy about it. He brings his cell phone, tablet, and headphones, all of which are confiscated by Nana.

CJ is miserable being away from the comforts of home and makes Nana’s life equally miserable. If you can’t guess that there is a lesson in store for CJ, you have somehow missed out on the last 300 years of storytelling. Still, some lessons are worthwhile in children’s theatre, and also bear repeating for many adults. Nana Teacat’s intention is not a moral one – she just wants to spend time with her grandson, but CJ’s spoiled, entitled behavior forces the matter, so she takes him around the neighborhood to work at a food pantry and to befriend homeless families. 

West expands the source material to create a fuller narrative for the stage and enlisted no less than Lamont Dozier, one of the architects of the Motown sound, who produced hits for Martha and the Vandellas (“Heat Wave”) and The Supremes (“Baby Love”), to compose songs. While they may not be quite as iconic as his hits from the 1960s, Dozier’s tunes here, composed in collaboration with his son, Paris Ray Dozier,  do “pop” as bright and catchy music that will be in your head leaving the theatre and are given energetic performances by the capable cast.

Xavier Mikal is unafraid to make CJ a whiny, unappealing, brat, and it is a real pleasure to see Gayle King step out of her background role as Music Director for so many local productions and craft a loving albeit stern character in Nana. Her comic timing and relaxed delivery connect with the audience immediately and wins our faith in CJ. 

Local veteran theatre artist Keith McGill is a genial city bus driver and other characters, Brittany Patillo and Caisey Cole did the same, notably flipping ages in some instances, while Tai Rosenblatt excelled as a blind man who seems to be key in CJ’s new understanding. Rosenblatt was also the strongest in musical numbers. Director Tyler Tate keeps them moving with fluid action and, most importantly, they appear to be having fun.

They are nicely dressed by Morgan Younge – Brittany Patillo’s “Madame Butterfly” costume was a lot of fun – while Corie Caudill’s blocky storybook cityscape is effectively lit by Kevin Gawley. Music Director Angie Hopperton keeps the backing score very limited and lowkey. 

Featuring Caisey Cole, Gayle King, Keith McGill, Xavier Mikall, Brittany Patillo, Tai Rosenblatt

Last Stop on Market Street

October 15, 22, & 29 @ 11:00 am & 2:00 pm

StageOne Family Theatre
Kentucky Performing Arts
501 West Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202
Stageone.org

Keith Waits is a native of Louisville who works at Louisville Visual Art during the days, including being the host of LVA’s Artebella On The Radio on WXOX 97.1 FM / ARTxFM.com, but spends most of his evenings indulging his taste for theatre, music and visual arts. His work has appeared in LEO Weekly, Pure Uncut Candy, TheatreLouisville, and Louisville Mojo. He is now Managing Editor for Arts-Louisville.com.