Stoplight Review

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We are so fortunate in Champaign-Urbana to have a thriving community theatre scene. Talent is abundant in C-U and I deeply appreciate the local playwrights who have the vision and the tenacity to cultivate a play from blank page to stage. It is always an experience to watch an original play come to life. I was happy to see Stoplight by Tania Arazi Coambs at the Station Theatre Saturday night and I was lucky to be involved when the play was in its infancy many months ago. This was my first time seeing Stoplight come to life and it was quite the evolution. I applaud all who aided this process since Tania didn't write Stoplight in a vacuum. Part of her inspiration was to write in a somewhat collaborative fashion so Stoplight was a true community effort bringing forth the themes and even wordsmithing the dialog.

The result was quite impressive. Stoplight bites off quite a lot for a first-time playwright; race issues, complicated medical explanations, public school procedures/safety, gay marriage, the US military leaving Afghanistan, teen anxiety, EMDR therapy, etc. all through three separate story lines of three families who are woven together quite cleverly.

Chyann Thomas as the fierce and loving mother, Lashonda, is mesmerizing. I found myself wishing her role was bigger and I appreciated her stage presence and energy. I hope to see her on stage again soon! Her twins Imani, played by Danyla Nash, and Bri, played by Jurdan Tyler were so completely authentic and believable not only as teens with asthma, but also as sisters. You could feel the complicated closeness teen siblings often exude. I expect to see them both in more productions.

I've had the pleasure of seeing David Heckman many times on stage, but I think this might be my favorite role for him. He plays Robbie and Barry Ackerson plays his life partner. The two remind me of a long-term gay middle aged couple friends of mine and they made me smile more than once with the sweet similarities. The way they care for their neighbors and are honorary uncles to Bri and Imani is also reminiscent of people in my life. We should all be so lucky to have true community as portrayed in Stoplight.

I was impressed with the sets, lighting, props, and sound effects. It was clear that quite a lot of work went into each aspect of the play. The entire cast and crew should feel very proud of their efforts and I enjoyed watching Stoplight and I think you will too. Even knowing the plot ahead of time and some of the more intense moments, they still brought goosebumps and made me teary.

Thank you to the Station Theatre for continuing to be a space where local playwrights can show their creations to an eager audience. Also, kudos to striving to have different voices heard and for welcoming and cultivating an abundance of new talent on stage and behind the scenes!
This three act two intermission play is roughly three hours long so this reviewer has to call it a night. I will go into more depth on C-U at the Show this Thursday, but do yourself a favor and don't miss your last chance to see Stoplight Sunday August 14th 3pm at the Station Theatre on Broadway in downtown-ish Urbana.

Linda Evans