Review: THE SMARTEST GIRL IN THE WORLD at Imagination Stage

Sometimes playwrights don't know when to quit and there's a situation where an incidental plot point becomes a major one because it's unnecessarily brought to the forefront again and again. Miriam Gonzales' The Smartest Girl in the World suffers from this problem and it's too bad because otherwise there is plenty to like in Imagination Stage's season opener.

Lizzie (Alia Collins Maldonado) is a very precocious and inquisitive second grader. She adores her older brother Leo (Dallas Tolentino) who takes care of her while her parents are at work. They play games together and she helps him prepare for a chance to appear on Challenge, a television show. Unfortunately, once he passes the qualifying round things start to derail for Leo. He suffers from Sickle Cell Anemia and his protective parents refuse to let him fly across country to appear on the show.

Lizzie takes it upon herself to try to qualify for the show even though a requirement of the competition is that you have to be in the third grade to qualify. Lizzie prepares all summer and gets herself a spot on the show. Leo's ego is bruised and swears never to talk to Lizzie again. The questions then become if the two will make up and how will Lizzie do on the show. You will have to see a performance for those answers.

What I just described to you is the basic and - what I would argue is - the most important plot point in Gonzales' story. However, she chooses to bring back the game the siblings play together multiple times. It involves Leo slaying a dragon. This is meant to illustrate that Lizzy regards Leo as her hero, which is important to the story. However, I understood it the first time and did not need to see that point driven home again and again.

There are other characters in our story, including the siblings' cousin Hector (Philip da Costa), Lizzy's friend Cheryl and the caring Aunt Kid (both played by Yasenia Iglesias). However, it's really Lizzy and Leo's story.

Director Kathryn Chase Bryer gets uniformly good performances out of her cast.

As Lizzie, Alia Collins Maldonado is enchanting with a big smile and a warm and loving personality. She embodies a sister that just wants to be the best she can be for her hero brother.

Dallas Tolentino, as Leo, gives a strong performance as well. While he has a big ego, beyond his rough exterior, he is a big teddy bear.

Phillip de Costa and Yasenia Iglesias do well in their multiple roles. I particularly enjoyed their very intense game show contestant characterizations.

Andrew Cohen's ingenious unit set fills the Lerner Family Theatre stage with lots of color.

Sarah Tundermann's lighting adds a lot of color as well. It is particularly effective when a contestant answers a question correct or incorrectly in the game show

Although the dragon character is used too much in the story, Frank Labovitz's costume is up to his usual brilliance.

Composer Timothy Guillot's effective music adds a lot to the show. There isn't much of it but trust me, you'll notice it for the good.

Overall, The Smartest Girl in the World isn't perfect, but still gets a high score for creativity and fine performances.

Running Time: 80 minutes with no intermission for school performances. 95 minutes including intermission for public performances.

The Smartest Girl in the World runs through October 29, 2017 a Imagination Stage which is located at 4908 Auburn Avenue in Bethesda, MD.

For tickets, click here.

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