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'Little Women' opens at the Engeman Theater
The heart-warming musical, based on the Alcott novel, strikes a magical chord in Northport
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March 19, 2009 | 12:11 PM
"Little Women the Broadway Musical," based on the book by Allan Knee and featuring music by Jason Howland and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, opened at Northport's John W. Engeman Theater last Thursday. The show is a lively, light-hearted romp through the pages of Louisa May Alcott's semi-autobiographical coming-of-age saga of the March sisters, Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy, set during the Civil War.
Born into an era when women's roles were narrowly prescribed, Alcott, like her literary alter-ego, Jo, dreamed of breaking free from society's constraints and turned out fiery tales of seduction and violence under a pen name. However, it was not until she wrote about homespun family values, sisterly bonds and the triumphs and tribulations of a shared New England childhood that Alcott achieved the success that previously eluded her. Little Women, the first in a series of books about the March family and its descendents, was published in 1868.
As the musical opens, Jo March is reading from one of her sensational "blood and guts" novels to Professor Bhaer, a fellow lodger in a Manhattan boarding house who does not find this type of writing much to his liking. As Jo reminisces about better days, the scene changes and we are magically transported back in time to a particularly difficult Christmas at the March family homestead in Concord, Massachusetts. Despite the fact that the girls and mother Marmee desperately miss Mr. March, who is away at war, and there is no money for gifts or a tree, they make the best of what little they have.
The steadfast idealist Jo, who has been assisting Aunt March in an effort to support the family, reiterates her dream that she will put an end to the family's financial woes by becoming a famous writer. The women, bolstered by their love for each other, pledge to remain a foursome forever.
But eventually changes do come, in terms of friendships that blossom into romance, life-altering experiences, and even death.
Sara Sheperd, who has a beautiful singing voice and appeared on Broadway in "Cry Baby," reaches deep within to give Jo the range of emotion that this role demands. Her gift for comedy and that of the cast are showcased in a scene in Act II where Jo reads from her newly improved "Operatic Tragedy," and the cast does remarkable double duty as characters which include a damsel in distress, a swashbuckling villain and a laughable troll.
Anne Tolpegin, whose recent Broadway and national tour credits include "A Tale of Two Cities," "Ragtime," "Mamma Mia" and "Les Misérables," excels as Marmee, the family's steadfast and comforting anchor. Her rendition of the song, "Days of Plenty," is one of the show's highlights.
The strength of the show rests on the ability of Kim Carson (Meg), Amber Ward (Beth) and Kally Duling (Amy) to project unique personae, and each rises to the challenge admirably. Carson is perfect as the hesitant beauty who blossoms as she discovers true love. Ward conveys the goodness and fragility of sweet-natured Beth and Duling will delight and surprise the audience with her stunning transformation from the petulant youngest sister to a woman of the world.
The diverse trio of suitors Josh Adam Davis (John Brooke) who has many television roles to his credit, Artie Sievers (Laurie), who recently appeared in "The Full Monty," and Gary Lindemann (Professor Bhaer), who has played in the Broadway production of "Phantom of the Opera," create great interest with their earnest but awkward missteps towards love.
Barbara Tirrell, whose Broadway and national tour credits include "Wicked," brings a genuine comic flourish to her role as Aunt March, the etiquette-obsessed matron who rules with an iron tongue. John Little is also perfectly cast as Mr. Laurence, the forbidding neighbor who evolves into a family friend.
The set designed by Paul Weimer, known for his work as associate set designer for "Shrek, The Musical," and "Spamalot," is a minimalist one which resonates with simplicity and elegance. A single piece is often used to summon up a much larger context, as when a blossom-laden bough suggests the outdoors, or large wooden cross beams, an attic. Weimer succeeds in enlisting the audience's imagination, and in showcasing the cast's talent without distracting from it with a heavy, overly sentimental set.
One of Weimer's biggest challenges was accommodating the many location changes, which are accomplished seamlessly with the use of sliding platforms, panels and drapes.
There are 18 original songs, several of which are revisited in reprises. Meg learns the proper etiquette for handling suitors at her first ball during the lilting refrains of "Delighted." In the course of a duet "Off to Massachusetts," stern Mr. Laurence reveals his softer side to Beth. Feelings of love, hope and grief are ignited by "Some Things are Meant to Be," a heart-rending duet between Beth and Jo, and in Marmee's deeply moving "Days of Plenty."
Producing Artistic Director Richard Dolce said that it was the music that first attracted him to the show, adding that its surprising contemporary flair is very effective in drawing the period piece into the 21st century. As always, conductor Donny Jones and his orchestra do a superlative job.
Major kudos go to Martin Vreeland, whose use of lighting to convey depth and mood, as well as to delineate transitions between scenes, goes beyond masterful. Many theatergoers commented that the lighting was so extraordinary and inventive that it was as much a presence in the production as a character.
Kudos go to director Alan Souza, casting director Stephen DeAngelis, who has cast all of Engeman's main stage productions to date, choreographer Karl Christian, costume designer Patricia Doherty, sound designer Katherine Miller, and hair and wig designer Mark Adam Rampmeyer for their role in bringing to life a story that holds a special place in the hearts of many.
The Engeman Theater is located at 250 Main St., Northport Village. Tickets for the show, which runs through April 19, can be purchased at the theater's box office, by visiting www.engemantheater.com or by calling 261-2900.
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