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Twin Cities Mom Collective

Kick off Children’s Theatre Company’s 2018-2019 Season with Last Stop on Market Street

Last Stop on Market Street | Twin Cities Moms Blog

Dwight Leslie, Greta Oglesby, Alejandro Vega, and Ansa Akyea

Children’s Theatre Company opens their 2018 – 2019 Season with a brand new musical, Last Stop on Market Street! A “Hamilton for the younger generation,” this new musical is infused with sounds of hip-hop, R&B, gospel, soul, and more, and it’s sure to have you up on your feet, dancing in the aisles. Last Stop on Market Street was co-commissioned with the Chicago Children’s Theatre, based on the Newbery-winning book by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson.

CJ is (reluctantly) staying with his (extremely over-the-top) Nana, in a world considerably different from the one he’s used to (his phone and tablet). The disagreeable (and let’s just admit it, whiny) child is dragged on a bus ride that’s loud and gritty and weird. 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. This is one hip-hop, eclectic, heart-thumpin’, toe-tappin’ joy ride!

Last Stop on Market Street runs now through October 21 – enjoy these fun activities with your family to put you in a musical mood, and get your tickets at childrenstheatre.org/LastStop, or call 612.874.0400.

Last Stop on Market Street | Twin Cities Moms Blog

Alejandro Vega, Autumn Ness, and Greta Oglesby

Before you see the show, we encourage you to read Last Stop on Market Street, written by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson – borrow from your community library, or find a copy at a local bookstore! We also recommend the books found on this list from Hennepin County Library that explore themes of community, intergenerational relationships, and challenging perspectives, as they relate to our show! Find the list here.

Last Stop on Market Street | Twin Cities Moms Blog

Alejandro Vega, Greta Oglesby, Dwight Leslie, and Ansa Akyea

“Estas aquí! Nana está muy emocianda.
Look everybody, my grandbaby is finally here!”

“Good morning! Buenos Dias!
Welcome to the neighborhood!”

When he first arrives at Nana’s house in a loud, bustling South Side Chicago neighborhood, CJ’s not quite sure what’s he’s gotten into. But, Nana and her neighbors are more than welcoming! The whole neighborhood gathers to say “hi” to CJ.

What makes your neighborhood special? Draw a map of your neighborhood, starting with your house – what are some of your favorite spots to visit nearby? Perhaps it’s a library, or a park, or school, or a friend’s house. Mark each of those locations on your neighborhood map – maybe do this activity with siblings or friends, and see how your maps are alike and different!

Last Stop on Market Street | Twin Cities Moms Blog

Kennedy Lucas, Autumn Ness, and Ansa Akyea

“Why do I need a car when every day, all day, a city bus that breathes fire comes by and takes me any and everywhere I wanna go. We’re about to have an adventure, meet some different people…”

“I don’t want to meet different people on a bus that breathes fire!”

When CJ first sees the city bus, he’s scared of it, because Nana jokes that it breathes fire! But, it doesn’t take him long to realize that the bus (and its kind driver, Mr. Dennis) is taking him on a fun adventure!

Design your own bus – draw and color a bus on paper, cut shapes from colored construction paper, or use recyclables and found objects like empty egg or milk cartons, or tissue boxes, to make your bus! Think about where your bus travels; does that affect your design, or what sort of wheels it might have, or how many people are aboard? Where is your bus going? Who is on the bus?

Last Stop on Market Street | Twin Cities Moms Blog

Alejandro Vega and Greta Oglesby

“Close your eyes. You might hear something more.
Like the music of life, see it’s got its own glorious beat…
all around us…”

On his bus ride with Nana, CJ meets Mr. Vernon, who is blind, but says he gets to “see” life through his ears! He encourages CJ to “let your ears be your eyes, and listen to the beat of life.”

This Sensory Mindfulness activity will help ground children and release stress while teaching about the five senses! Find a calm environment – a park, a living room, a classroom, etc. – and wiggle all the fingers on one hand. Then, wiggle each individually with these prompts – say your findings aloud, point to them with your free hand, or just think about them:

  • Pinky finger – identify five things in your surroundings that you can SEE.
  • Ring finger – identify four things in your surroundings that you can FEEL/TOUCH.
  • Middle finger – identify three sounds in the room you can HEAR. (*Bonus: for this prompt, pretend you are Mr. Vernon from the bus, and close your eyes so all you can do is listen!)
  • Pointer finger – identify two things in the room you can
  • Thumb – identify one thing you can TASTE.

Last Stop on Market Street | Twin Cities Moms Blog

Alejandro Vega, Greta Oglesby, Autumn Ness, Ansa Akyea, Kennedy Lucas, and Calvin Zimmerman

“Did they do something wrong to lose their home? I mean, do they just wanna be poor?”

“You don’t do something wrong to become poor or sick or even hungry… All three can happen to anybody.”

CJ’s bus ride with Nana takes them to a homeless shelter, where Nana volunteers serving meals. CJ has never before encountered homelessness, and after he helps Nana serve dinner to all the people at the shelter, he wishes he could do something more to help. Nana reminds him that anything is helpful, even just the time he gave volunteering.

CTC is proud to partner with People Serving People, the region’s largest and most comprehensive family-focused homeless shelter. Bring a donation for PSP when you come to see your show – CTC is helping collect diapers (all sizes), mittens and gloves (all sizes), and board books for the organization through the run of Last Stop on Market Street. Or, take it a step further and volunteer at Families Volunteering Together for PSP; this event is for families with children ages 5+, to offer an opportunity for young children to experience what it means to volunteer and help out. Or, if you’re so inspired, organize your own food drive or volunteer event to benefit your community! Plan the day-of logistics, find volunteers, and market your event. Let us know how it goes on social media using #LastStopCTC.

{Photography Credit: Dan Norman}

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