Still time to see ‘Little Women-The Musical’;A peek into a bygone era

By Daniel Hines
Publisher
www.TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com

As one who has always considered the mid-19^th Century and the Civil War Era a time of special eloquence, I can wholeheartedly recommend ‘Little Women-The Musical’—now playing at the Fabulous Fox Theater through March 6. 

The stage sets and costuming remind us of a time when soldiers wrote beautiful letters home that resonate today—perhaps even more strikingly so.  And, there is an underlying theme of true family values—loyalty chief among them—that could set a standard for today. 

Admittedly, the March sisters have been slightly transformed and there is perhaps a bit too much of ‘California girls ‘ in their pursuit of fun and, in the case of Jo, the chief protagonist of the epic book by Louisa May Alcott, a bit too much of asserting her right to be a liberated woman, but this production still offers an opportunity for a family night at the theater. 

And, that makes it worthwhile. 

Unfortunately, the opening night performance which we attended, was sans the presence of Maureen McGovern, who plays Marmee, the mother who oversees the March sisters while her husband is off to fight in the Civil War. 

I have the feeling that Ms. McGovern, who created the role for which she received a 2005 Drama Desk Award nomination, might have provided a bit of pace that would have allowed a deeper development of the sisters and their escapades. 

Kate Fisher does an admirable job as Jo March, the elder sister who wants to write—actually be published, since she is a prolific writer whose works no one seems to want to read.  

Ms. Fisher has a strong voice and presence that allows her to carry off her very demanding role in which she is on the stage longer than any of the other characters. 

The other sisters,  Renee Brna, who plays Meg , Gwen Hollander, who plas Amy, and Autumn Hurlbert, who plays Beth,  fittingly compliment the special relationship that evolves over the years among the sisters.

 The transitions between various activities move a bit fast, leaving us to wonder what happened between the periods of time that shaped the relationships not only among the sisters, but among others.  Some sort of narration could have helped, perhaps in the voice of Jo or even Ms. McGovern. 

But, any attempt to take a classic from pages to stages is a bold move.  This is not a play with big production numbers, but is instead a story of lives set against a backdrop of a time when manners and style dictated the pace of life. 

It is a family show and, as noted, a great chance to introduce children to theater and American classics.  So pack up the kids, go to the Fox, and let your children be carried away in the time machine that is created by the wonderful sets and costumes.