Last Stop on Market Street
February 6—27, 2022 at the Grandel Theatre
3610 Grandel Square, St. Louis, MO 63103
By Matt de la Peña, Illustrated by Christian Robinson
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
Director: Jacqueline Thompson
Nana: Denise Thimes
CJ: Daniel McRath
Ensemble: Robert Crenshaw, Valentina Silva, Cameron Tyler, and Tyler White
“…like Hamilton for kids” – Minneapolis Star Tribune
Get ready for a heart-thumpin’, toe-tappin’ joy ride in this Motown/hip-hop musical adaptation of New York Times bestselling and Newbery Medal-winning picture book Last Stop on Market Street! CJ is reluctantly staying with his Nana, in a world considerably different from the one he’s used to, always plugged in to his phone and tablet. Guided by his veritable force-of-nature Nana, CJ travels a little closer to his roots and sees that things are not always what they seem. With a spectacular, spirited score by Motown legend Lamont Dozier and his son Paris Ray Dozier, you might find yourself dancing in your seat as you enjoy this vibrant story about connecting to your community.
Best for ages 5 and up. The production is approximately 75 minutes with no intermission.
Themes of Last Stop on Market Street: musical, hip hop, soul, gospel, and rap music, inspirational, humor, thankfulness, appreciation of differences, giving back, empathy, digital divide
“Last Stop on Market Street is what children’s theater should be. It does not talk down to its audience. It is burgeoning with wonder. If you are a kid, you’ll giggle yourself silly. If you were once a kid, you just might remember what that felt like.” – Chicago Sun-Times
All digital programs during Metro Theater Company's 2021-2022 Season are supported by PNC Arts Alive.
Illustration by Christian Robinson
From the book Last Stop on Market Street © 2015
Published by the Penguin Group
Tickets for the Public
Last Stop on Market Street Public In-Person Performances
February 6 through 27, 2022
In-Person Performance Tickets $20 to $36 (all fees included)
Sun, Feb 6 at 2 pm
Fri, Feb 11 at 7 pm (ASL Interpreted performance by DEAF, Inc. and Pay-What-You-Wish tickets available)
Sat, Feb 12 at 11 am (Pay-What-You-Wish tickets available)
Sun, Feb 13 at 2 pm and 5 pm (Audio Description by MindsEye available during 2 pm show. Reserve AD headset here.)
Fri, Feb 18 at 7 pm
Sat, Feb 19 at 4 pm
Sun, Feb 20 at 2 pm and 5 pm
Sat, Feb 26 at 1 pm and 4 pm
Sun, Feb 27 at 2 pm
Grandel Theatre
3610 Grandel Square
St. Louis, MO 63103
Last Stop on Market Street Streaming Performances
February 14 through 27, 2022
Virtual Streaming Option $20
Should you not be able to attend Last Stop on Market Street due to COVID-related circumstances, you can exchange any in-person performance ticket into a different performance date or into a virtual performance ticket by contacting Audience Services and School Bookings Manager Eleanor Marsh at eleanor@metroplays.org.
Field Trip Tickets
for Educators
Last Stop on Market Street is available for in-person school field trips and virtual field trips.
Last Stop on Market Street In-Person Field Trips
Tuesdays through Fridays at 10 am
February 8-11, February 15-18, and February 22-25, 2022
Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square, St. Louis, MO 63103
Last Stop on Market Street Virtual Field Trips
February 14 through 27, 2022
On-Demand Virtual Viewing
Artists
DIRECTED BY JACQUELINE THOMPSON
CAST
Nana: Denise Thimes
CJ: Daniel McRath
Ensemble: Robert Crenshaw, Valentina Silva, Cameron Tyler, and Tyler White
PRODUCTION TEAM
Musicians: Courtney J’mell Smith and Philip A. Woodmore, Ph.D.
Music Director: Philip A. Woodmore, Ph.D.
Choreographer/Movement Director: Christopher Page-Sanders
Scenic Design: Peter and Margery Spack
Costume Designer: Felia Davenport
Lighting Designer: Jayson Lawshee
Sound Designer: Jackpot Sharp
Props Master: Emily Frei
Stage Manager: Sarah Rugo
Assistant Director: Erin Renée Roberts
Scenic Painter: Cristie Johnston
Spanish Language Coach: Gaby Rodriguez
Costume Assistant: Nathan Lessly
Sound Engineer: Thomas White
METRO THEATER COMPANY PRODUCTION STAFF
Production Stage Manager: Jimmy Bernatowicz
Technical Director: Erik Kuhn
Producing Associate: John Wolbers
House Management: Tawaine Noah and Teresa West
Partnerships
Operation Food Search
We are honored to partner with Operation Food Search! Founded in 1981, Operation Food Search (OFS) is a hunger relief organization that provides free food, nutrition education, and innovative programs proven to reduce food insecurity. With a strategic focus aimed at ending childhood hunger, OFS empowers families and increases access to healthy and affordable food. The agency provides food and services to 200,000 individuals on a monthly basis – one-third of whom are children – through a network of 330 community partners in 27 Missouri and Illinois counties and the city of St. Louis. Metro Theater Company is hosting an OFS food drive during the run of Last Stop on Market Street. Bring non-perishable food items to any of our in-person performances at the Grandel Theatre and place them in the marked blue barrels. Thank you for helping heal the hurt of hunger.
EyeSeeMe African American Children’s Bookstore
Discover the largest collection of African American books for children in the United States at EyeSeeMe! Copies of the books Last Stop on Market Street and The Last Children of Mill Creek can be purchased through their web site or stop by their welcoming store in University City.
Pamela and Jeffrey Blair, Owners and Founders, EyeSeeMe
The Novel Neighbor
Enhance your experience of Last Stop on Market Street! The Novel Neighbor, an independent bookstore in Webster Groves, has curated a special collection of books and gifts that celebrate the imagination of author Matt de la Peña and illustrator Christian Robinson. A portion of the sales from everything on Metro Theater Company’s Virtual Merchandise Stand goes to support MTC’s mission of creating professional theater, fostering inclusive community, and nurturing meaningful learning through the arts. Thank you for your support!
MerryMakers
Enjoy this sweet CJ doll from MerryMakers while celebrating the heartwarming book Last Stop on Market Street! MerryMakers creates fun dolls for book loving kids. Be sure to explore their dolls that celebrate books such as Dog Man, Dragons Love Tacos, Pete the Cat, Snowy Day, The Day the Crayons Quit, Biscuit the Little Yellow Puppy, Captain Underpants, Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon, and more! Use the promo code LASTSTOPMETROPLAYS and take 20% off your purchase on the MerryMakers site. Valid through March 31, 2022. Plus, Last Stop on Market Street audience members who complete a survey after the show can win a CJ doll! Take the in-person performance survey or take the streaming performance survey.
Support
Last Stop on Market Street is supported in part by Berges Family Foundation, Regional Arts Commission, Emerson, Crawford Taylor Foundation, PNC Arts Alive, The Shubert Foundation, Whitaker Foundation, Centene Charitable Trust, and Missouri Arts Council. Streaming of Last Stop on Market Street is part of MTC Remote, a new virtual initiative supported by PNC Arts Alive.
Metro Theater Company is thankful for the support of and partnerships with St. Louis Post-Dispatch Newspapers in Education program.
