Review: Childsplay's THE SMARTEST GIRL IN THE WORLD Earns A Solid A

The kid that I was with, the third grader whose perspective on Childsplay's staging of THE SMARTEST GIRL IN THE WORLD I was eager to hear, totally got Miriam Gonzales' message of family fidelity and personal determination. Her understanding and sensitivity to the play's theme certainly influenced my appreciation of the work, because, sometimes, as a reviewer, it's pretty neat to see the play through the eyes of the intended audience.

In her own words, the playwright has expressed her aspiration for the work which emerged out of Childsplay's 2013 new play development symposium and won the 2013 Write Now Award: "I really just felt it was important for children to see themselves on stage, to have their stories and their voices validated, because it says, 'We're here, we've always been here. We matter, we've always mattered. But if you put it on a page or on the stage, it validates, it elevates and it educates everyone." Gonzales is talking about the children of other cultures and socio-economic levels who vie often against seemingly insurmountable odds to chase their dreams.

Lizzy Martinez (played with a contagious and perky enthusiasm by Osiris Cuen) is such a dreamer, imagining on-stage fame with a make-believe mic in one hand and the air of possibility in the other. Her brother Leo (Rudy Ramirez) has aspirations, too ~ to run for president of his class and, more importantly, to compete in the Challenge, a local quiz show and the possible pathway to a bit of economic security. The Challenge is out of reach when his parents (Vinny Chavez and Jamie Sandomire), concerned about his health, prevent him from competing. If Leo can't grab for the gold ring, Lizzy decides that she'll take a crack at it, and, the personification of perseverance, she studies assiduously and becomes a contestant on the show. She doesn't win the TV competition, but, on counts that, in the long term of life, will matter more, she stands tall. Victory becomes measured not in prize money but in the love, loyalty, respect, and mutual support of la familia.

The beauty of the play, under the inspired direction of Debra K. Stevens, lies in these lessons revealed and learned about the centrality of family, the merits of striving, and the essence of character. Through the lens of the children of immigrant parents, we are reminded that the pursuit of happiness is universal, its definition relative, and its impediments reversible. We learn too that being smart involves a lot more than knowing stuff!

The beauty of the play is underscored further by Douglas Clarke's visually stunning set, accentuated by a mural that speaks volumes about dreams ~ a resplendent landscape occupied by a dragon, a horse, and a castle.

For the kid that I was with (and I'm certain for the other kids in the audience), Gonzales' points made sense. The play succeeds in validating, elevating and educating. For the kid that I was with, THE SMARTEST GIRL IN THE WORLD earned a solid A. I couldn't agree more.

THE SMARTEST GIRL IN THE WORLD will run at the Tempe Center for the Arts through November 22nd.

Photo credit to Tim Trumble

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