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“Little Women” in song works very well
“Hope Summer Repertory presents classic tale in entertaining format”
“Musical has a simple set, gorgeous costumes and appealing lighting”
Lorilee Craker
The Grand Rapids Press
Those who treasure Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” may look askance at the musical version – at first. By the end of the two-plus hours of storytelling and music, they may be on the same page as Jo March, and they may consider that “astonishing”.
An opening Friday night crowd of 500 in Hope College’s DeWitt Theatre reveled in the trials and triumphs of the March sisters, circa 1860 Concord, Mass. Hope Summer Repertory Theatre presented a well-cast ensemble of players who dared to fiddle with a classic and, arguably, enhance it through shuffled plotting and tunes reminiscent of Rodgers and Hammerstein.
I do say “arguably” because some of the “extras” detracted from the story. The beginning with Jo March (Danielle Roth) and Professor Bhaer (Chip Duford) discussing her dream of being a great authoress with “barrels of money” is heavy laden with a spunky tune involving pirates and treachery, as in Jo’s “blood and guts” plot ideas.
Again, at the opening of Act 2, we’re back to Jo and the professor, pirates, ghouls and a too-long song. But once these flights of fancy were over, and the story as we know and love it began to unfold, the musical was a delight.
The March sisters each are pursuing their dreams in their own ways.
Jo is in a frenzy of scribbling her potboilers by lantern light, sure that publishers are looking for blood and guts despite her numerous rejection letters. Meg (Kelly Sina) is quietly wondering if she’ll ever meet a soul mate, Amy (Lindsey Jane Bullen) just wants a new sash for her dress and to be allowed to go to the ball.
And Sweet Beth (Abbe Tanenbaum) wishes everyone together and happy – the peacemaker of the family.
Running this bustling household of feminine energy with grace is Marmee (Gail Rastorfer), who should write a parenting manual in her spare time – when she’s not caring for wounded soldiers and delivering care baskets to those less fortunate.
Next door is the crusty millionaire with a heart of gold (well-hidden, of course) – Mr. Laurence, played by Joseph Byrd. His grandson, “Laurie” (Michael Maller), is dying for some adventure and also a place to belong. He finds both with his new best friend, Jo March, and her family.
Readers know what happens with these beloved characters, so the mystery is in how well the actors embody them. As it happens, they do that with great success. Roth’s Jo is bursting at the seams with joie de vive and energy and girl power. Her voice is an asset, bringing clarity and power to each song she sings. In ensemble numbers, the women’s voices especially blended beautifully.
Another standout was Chip Duford’s Professor Bhaer, who not only charmed with his thin veneer of denial (he’s smitten with Jo), but his German accent remained consistent through song and soliloquy.
A simple yet effective set, gorgeous costumes and appealing lighting all served to underscore and tell the story.
Overall, “Little Women” beguiled and charmed, sometimes through laughter and sometimes through heartbreaking scenes of grief. Just as Jo found a way to bring her sister Beth back to life through her words, so this talented cast and crew brought an old book back to life through their various gifts.
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