Considering the lengthy process of planning a theatrical season and the much longer lead time for NASA missions, it’s likely a mere coincidence that Chicago Children’s Theatre opened its current production of “Goodnight Moon” just days after the crew of Artemis II returned from their historic voyage around the far side of the moon. Happily, for us Earthbound viewers, the recent memory of seeing new images from space lends a little extra shine to young protagonist Bunny’s declaration of love for the moon, represented by a warmly lit globe that descends from the center of Eleanor Kahn’s colorful bedroom set.
Based on the picture book written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd, Chad Henry’s musical adaptation turns bedtime into a variety show of sorts, as the energetic Bunny (Diego Vazquez Gomez) resists sleep with the help of his mouse friend (Isadora Coco Gonzalez) and a parade of characters from fairytales and nursery rhymes. Mikael Burke — who made his CCT debut with the world premiere of “Milo Imagines the World” in 2024 — directs this charming, though sometimes meandering, production.
When Vazquez Gomez previously played a mail-carrying snail in CCT’s “A Year with Frog and Toad,” I described their performance as adorable, and that’s really the best adjective for their rendition of Bunny, too. Wearing striped pajamas and floppy knitted ears (costume design by Gregory Graham and Janelle Smith), with pink makeup forming a button nose, Vazquez Gomez is a bundle of enthusiasm and curiosity. Bunny is simply too busy greeting the inanimate objects in his room and outside the window (and asking for a glass of water, more stuffed animals, a tuck-in, etc.) to do something as boring as falling asleep. I’m sure anyone who has ever tried to put a young child to bed will recognize this game.
Sharriese Hamilton plays Bunny’s caregiver — called the Old Woman, as she is in the book — and also appears in several ensemble scenes with Gonzalez and Jonah D. Winston. In one vignette, this trio puts a vaudevillian spin on Goldilocks’ Three Bears, who emerge from a painting at night to play a game of musical chairs. Winston also gives an entertaining turn as the Tooth Fairy, cutting a dapper figure in a maroon blazer, lace cravat and a riot of tulle as he scatters tooth-shaped confetti.
In three scenes staggered through the show, Gonzalez, Hamilton and Winston also embody the animals and dishware from the “Hey, Diddle Diddle” nursery rhyme, with Hamilton’s bovine character making three valiant attempts to jump over the moon as the others cheer her on in several musical genres, from honky-tonk to rock-n-roll (music direction by Andra Velis Simon; live music by Kevin Reeks). Although their antics offer some fun moments for adults as well as kids (kudos to sound designer Ethan Korvne for the well-timed use of the “Chariots of Fire” theme), the three-act format feels repetitive after a while, despite the important message about maintaining a positive attitude.
Aside from this cow-inspired moral, “Goodnight Moon” isn’t an especially didactic show, nor does it have much of a plot — unsurprisingly, given the simplicity of the source material. The stage version’s episodic structure, aside from its tendency toward repetition, largely works well as a vehicle for Bunny’s restless imagination. By the time he finally settles into bed with the poem from the book, it’s a well-earned rest, for both Bunny and the patient Old Woman.
Kahn’s scenic design turns the entire theater into one “great green room,” as the book refers to Bunny’s bedroom, and a pre-show handout asks kids to locate various paintings of bunnies (including one of the “Bad” variety) on the walls. Burke’s in-the-round staging makes use of many nooks and crannies in the intimate venue; for example, Bunny’s bed and the Old Woman’s rocking chair are tucked into gaps between the rows of seats. Eric Watkins’ lighting design is appropriately mellow and nocturnal, with strings of bulbs radiating out from the “moon” to form a tent-like canopy. Frankly, I’m kind of jealous of Bunny’s cozy space. More importantly, though, I hope to always feel the same sense of awe that Bunny does when gazing at the moon — or any of the wonders that are visible when we just look up.
Emily McClanathan is a freelance critic.
Review: “Goodnight Moon” (3 stars)
When: Through June 7
Where: Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine Ave.
Running time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Tickets: $47.25 at 312-374-8835 and chicagochildrenstheatre.org
