BWW Reviews: GOODNIGHT MOON at Nashville Children's Theatre

Even if you've never read the classic children's book, Goodnight Moon, you will thoroughly enjoy the musical version of the slight tome, thanks to the completely charming and altogether colorful production now onstage at Nashville Children's Theatre. Featuring a stunning scenic design by the amazing Gary Hoff (of Tennessee Repertory Theatre fame) - based on the illustrations of Clement Hurd, the book's original artist - and the appealing performances of five of NCT's favorite actors, Goodnight Moon is a wonderfully heartfelt stage rendering of Margaret Wise Brown's timeless book that has lulled children all over the world to sleep for at least three generations.

For audience members wondering how the memorable, albeit short, tale can possibly be translated to musical theater, NCT producing artistic director Scot Copeland has some succinct pre-curtain advice: "Just wait and see." You'll be so glad you did. Its brevity notwithstanding, the story is winsomely engaging, using the text oF Brown's book as a springboard to take younger audiences deeper into a wonderland of imaginative, inspirational fun - and there are some quietly expressed lessons conveyed in the process.

Under Copeland's direction, Goodnight Moon moves at a sprightly pace to keep young brains engaged and the visual stimulation of Hoff's gorgeously hued set - and the production's superbly crafted technical wizardry (seriously, there have got to be hundreds of sound/light/technical cues in this show) - keeps audience members, regardless of age, thoroughly captivated by the story that is brought winningly to life by the talented ensemble of actors.

The versatility of the entire cast is evident throughout the production, which features the gifTed Shawn Knight as The Sandman, providing musical accompaniment for the piece. It's unclear who composed the music for Goodnight Moon (it's uncredited in the program - but any score that sets "Hey, Diddle-Diddle" to a boogie-woogie rhythm is aces in my book!), but I'm happy to give credit to Knight for his tremendous flair on the keyboard and his warm onstage persona.

Samuel Whited III, playing the Cat (as in "...and the fiddle"), Papa Bear (of The Three Bears fame) and as the most appealing Tooth Fairy (one vital lesson learned: tooth fairies can be male or female; it just depends on who's got the night shift - on any given evening - which gender will leave the shiny coin under your pillow when you leave your tooth there), displays his tremendous range with his endearing performance.

Taking on the role of the Mouse, a Dog and as the quintessential Baby Bear, Amanda Card McCoy gives a sweetly nuanced performance that would make her welcome in any home, despite any misgivings you might have about mush-eating rodents in your house.

NCT stalwart Rona Carter is perfectly cast as "The Old Lady whispering 'hush,'" the quintessential mother figure of the piece, exuding maternal warmth, doubling as Mama Bear and breathing life into Clarabelle, the Cow, who interestingly and entertainingly "jumps over the moon." In addition, Carter is credited with the simple, but effective, choreography that moves the musical numbers along.

And finally, if there's a more charming, more lovable Bunny than the one created onstage by the versatile Bobby Wyckoff, we simply can't imagine who it might be. Wyckoff gives such a guileless performance that you can't help but lose yourself in the simple pleasures of Goodnight Moon and to find yourself caught up in the story being told onstage.

Hoff's amazing set (which recreates the "great green room" of the book) and the tremendous costume design of Patricia Taber is brought more sharply into artistic focus by the astonishingly beautiful lighting by Scott Leathers, while Daniel Brewer's sound design finds the perfect balance in the Ann Stahlman Hill Theatre at NCT. This coterie of gifted artists ensures that Goodnight Moon, the musical, is as creatively realized as the book's longtime success.

- Goodnight Moon. Adapted from the book by Margaret Wise Brown, with pictures by Clement Hurd. Directed by Scot Copeland. Music direction by Shawn Knight. Choreography by Rona Carter. Presented by Nashville Children's Theatre, through April 3. For details, visit the company website at www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org. Call (615) 254-9103 for reservations.

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