You know how kids try to avoid going to bed at night? If you’re a parent or grandparent or sitter, you know the drill. Mama, I’m not sleepy. Will you tuck me in? Can I have a glass of water? I need my giraffe (or teddy bear, or stuffed kitty or dog). All the shenanigans that a child thinks up while avoiding sleep are the plot of Goodnight, Moon at Chicago Children’s Theatre.
This charming and funny play, adapted from the classic children’s book by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrator Clement Hurd, is a new version of Goodnight, Moon with book, music and lyrics by Chad Henry. It expands on the book itself with a whole bunch of hijinks. Mikael Burke directs the fun. Diego Vasquez Gomez plays Bunny, wearing striped pajamas, floppy ears and a fluffy tail, and doesn’t want to go to sleep. Sharriese Hamilton is the Old Woman or Mama Bunny.
The 65-minute play (just the right length for toddlers and young children) is a lively musical romp through the fun embedded in the Mother Goose nursery rhyme that popped into my mom-head or maybe even from my own childhood. Remember?
“Hey diddle diddle / the cat and the fiddle / the cow jumped over the moon. / The little dog laughed to see such sport / and the dish ran away with the spoon.” I didn’t even have to google that. It’s amazing how rhymes, jingles and song lyrics stick in your head.
The adorable mouse is Bunny’s bedtime companion, played by CoCo Gonzalez. For a while, it’s quiet while Mama Bunny reads The Runaway Bunny to Bunny, hoping he’ll go to sleep. But Gonzalez and the other two performers—Hamilton and Jonah D. Winston—have other ideas and they create the mischief that keeps Bunny amused. First the Cat with the fiddle (Gonzalez) and the little Dog who laughs (Winston) lark around with Cow, who wants to jump over the moon (it’s a large sign marked Moooooon). The trio makes repeated appearances as familiar characters. As the Three Bears, they play a game of musical chairs with Bunny.
Bunny has a loose tooth and keeps hoping it will fall out so
he can put it under his pillow for the Tooth Fairy. And the Tooth Fairy appears in a cameo by Winston, decked out in a red ruffled train, pink floppy wings, an ascot and crown.
Throughout the play, Clarabelle Cow keeps trying to jump over the moon. At the very end, she succeeds, and offers a positive message for kids: If at first you don’t succeed, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try, try again.
Director Burke directs this lively show with flair and constant movement. The cast of four is excellent. Gomez is in constant motion as Bunny and Winston waltzes and charms his way through the show, as do Hamilton and Gomez. The latter three actors make frequent costume changes and always look as if they are living their characters. (Costumes by Gregory Graham and Janelle Smith.) We should note that CCT’s performers are all professional actors, with extensive experience locally and nationally.
The music is a key element of the show’s magic and musician Kevin Reeks is onstage, keeping the bounce and the beat. Andra Velis Simon is music director and Ethan Koryne is sound designer. Sonya Madrigal is choreographer and associate director. Eleanor Kahn’s scenic design is a creative invention of Bunny’s bedroom and uses most of the theater space—the play is staged in the round with nooks and crannies among the seating areas. Lighting is by Eric Watkins. Puppet design is by Caitlyn McLeod. Harper Crewse is production stage manager.
Goodnight, Moon runs until June 7 at Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine Ave. Parking is available in a small lot on the south side of the building, which is a former police station. Running time is about 65 minutes with no intermission. It’s an all-ages play but will be particularly appealing for younger children. Performances are Saturdays and Sundays at 9:30 and 11:30am; check the schedule for possible changes when you buy tickets.
For more information on this and other productions, see theatreinchicago.com.
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