Luisa May Alcott's beloved 19th Century novel Little Women has been read by millions, and has had several stage, film, and television versions over the years. -- In 2005, it appeared on Broadway in a musical version starring Sutton Foster as the central character/narrator, Jo March, a would-be author and passionate ground-breaking young woman challenging the patriarchal world she was born into. -- And this is the production now being staged by the Pike Road Theatre Company at the Faulkner University theatre.
Directed by Jason Morgan the ten ensemble actors are graced with excellent singing voices in this iteration of Alcott's novel, one that retains much of the essential plot elements, but cuts so much of the original material that leaves little room for character development. -- Perhaps it doesn't matter so much to people familiar with the book.
Set mainly in Massachusetts during the American Civil War, the plot revolves around the four March sisters and their mother [they call her Marmee] who eke out a living while their father is away at the war: Meg [Stephanie Coppock] the eldest and most traditionally sensible one; next is the aforementioned tomboy Jo ]Kristen Vanderwal]; third is shy, sickly, and musically inclined Beth [Ansley Quallio]; and last, the spoiled artistic Amy [Grayson Hataway]. Sarah Carlton plays Marmee with a staunch spirit and love for her family. And wealthy Aunt March [Candi Morton] insists that the "little women" adhere to the rigid dictates of polite society.
Neighbors Mr. Laurence [Lee Bridges] and his grandson Laurie [Nick Johnson] come to their aid at times. Laurie is infatuated by Jo, and Laurie's tutor Mr. Brooke [Tanner Parrish] quickly falls for Meg.
A secondary location is in a New York boarding house run my Mrs. Kirk [Candi Norton again] where Jo meets Professor Baer [Kevin Morton] a German immigrant who takes an interest in Jo's writing and offers candid advice on her efforts while clearly becoming attracted to her.
It's a coming-of-age story that tracks the lives of this group who demonstrate the value of family solidarity when challenged by sibling rivalries, social norms, romantic interests, and budding feminism.
Jo's swashbuckling stories are enacted by her sisters for entertainment, though there is little chance they will be published. She has to find her own voice rather than copying the pulp fiction of the day.
There is a long exposition and some pleasant music that the actors present affably and confidently. However, the production needs to achieve a solid balance between the recorded score and the too often deafening volume of the singers' voices. -- And lighting frequently left actors' faces in deep shadows that made then hard to see. -- Perhaps the opening night glitches will be managed soon.
Musical highlights were: Marmee's "Here Alone", Laurie's "Take a Chance on Me", Beth and Mr. Laurence singing "Off to Massachusetts", Jo's "Astonishing", a very touching "Some Things are Meant to Be" by Beth and Jo, and a lovely rendering of Professor Baer and Jo's duet "Small Umbrella in the Rain".
Little Women; the Broadway musical ought to draw in the crowds in this family-friendly version of an American classic.
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