The Last Croissant

What I liked

The design thrusts us immediately into a world that at once charmed me, disturbed me, and made me want to stay forever. Definitely should win Best Design Awards.

I liked when there were bits of grounded performance and subtle comedy in an otherwise broad piece. This was especially achieved by the talking Bear and the Park Ranger in the last third of the play when the piece takes a somewhat abrupt turn for the less farcical/more absurd. Still funny in these moments, but in a way that allowed me to sit calmly and enjoy. The larger than life style that most of the play takes on had most of the audience on the floor laughing, I just prefer the more grounded bits. The Park Ranger who’s obsessed with his job had me feeling a lot of things and laughing in a way that also hurt a little. Every time he left the stage I heard someone whisper, “I love him.” His through line, as well as the strained (gender-reversed) relationship between Frederick and Imogen, gave me something to root for.

What I didn't like

This company’s brimming heart almost compensates for a script that doesn’t quite pack the punch it wants to. I would like to see a version of this play that is just as funny, but spends a little more time interweaving the storylines, and giving all of the characters arcs that we can root for. Would love to see a scene with everyone on stage at the end. Would love to see the other side of Mumbi and Jumbi (who were also very funny). Would love to see the cranes developed a little more and to figure out what’s going on with October.

My overall impression

Drop dead dreamy. I have so many questions, and ultimately I think that’s a good thing. I wanted to stay longer in this magical camping dream-room to discover all of its nooks and crannies.