Originally published March 28, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified March 28, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Village Theatre's polished "Little Women" no match for classic book
Louisa May Alcott's novel "Little Women" is playing at the Village Theatre in Issaquah in a new musical adaptation; review by Misha Berson.
Seattle Times theater critic
"Little Women"
Book by Sean Hartley, lyrics by Alison Hubbard, music by Kim Oler, plays Wednesdays-Sundays plus some Tuesdays through April 27 at Village Theatre, 303 Front St. N., Issaquah; $20-$55; continues Wednesdays-Sundays May 2-18 at Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett; 15-$49 (425-392-2202, Issaquah, or 425-257-8600, Everett, or www.villagetheatre.org).Theater Review |
Jo dashes off cloak-and-dagger tales. Amy covets ribbons and bows. Dutiful Meg is, well, dutiful. And shy Beth is selfless and frail.
So it is in the treasured novel "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott, and in the long-brewing new musical based on it, which the Village Theatre has workshopped and now is presenting in completed form.
There are a slew of plays, films and at least one opera based on Alcott's classic novel of Civil War-era sisters in New England, based partly on Alcott's own youth.
And the Village's "Little Women" is sincere, boasts some good performances, and has pretty choral harmonies rippling through composer Kim Oler's score (which won a coveted Richard Rodgers Award).
This is certainly better than Broadway's lackluster 2005 musical of "Little Women," seen also at Seattle's Paramount Theatre — and which Oler and lyricist Alison Hubbard were set to score, until replaced by another team.
But their own polished and family-friendly outing turns a lively saga into a sweet, bland dish of vanilla pudding. One that takes 2 ½ hours to consume.
The show's book by Sean Hartley focuses mainly on domestic and romantic matters in the March household. It swiftly establishes the sisters' basic personalities, with the headstrong feminist Jo (played in hearty voice and high spirits by Victoria Huston-Elem) dominating.
On Bill Forrester's mixed bag of period sets, and under Daniella Topol's direction, the siblings and their angelic mother Marmee (Anne Allgood) keep the home fires burning while their nice father (Brian Higham) is off ministering to the war-wounded.
Times are tough, and squabbling plentiful. But Shanna Marie Palmer's Amy turns from selfish brat into a poised young woman. Krystle Armstrong's Meg stays steadfast. And Michaela Koerner's sickly Beth wilts away — after singing the schmaltzy ballad,"Hold on to Me."
As for the suitors, Meg's John (Christian Duhamel) is weirdly nebbishy, while Chad Jennings appears too young to be Jo's older beloved, Professor Bhaer.
Fortunately, Dane Stokinger infuses Laurie, a neighbor who falls for two March sisters, with warmth, good cheer and sex appeal.
The show perks up whenever Stokinger is singing, sparring and roughhousing with Huston-Elem's Jo. And his robust hopeful-swain number, "Fly At Me" is a musical high point.
But the show's lack of spice and variety, musically and dramatically, keeps it bubbling at a low heat. And Broadway musical conventions may not be the right fit for Alcott's Victorian-era tale of strong-headed, stouthearted girls.
That's not to say modern girls, maybe 12 or younger, won't enjoy the show. But do remind them that it can't replace the childhood thrill of reading Alcott's delectable novel, from cover to cover.
Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Preview: Renaissance Singers usher in season with 'Christmas in Cambridge'
SuttonBeresCuller: Big thinkers turn their attention to smaller-scale artworks
The Short List: What our writers love this week
'Precious,' Kelly Clarkson, Seattle Men's Chorus are arts highlights this week
Review: 'Peter Pan' boasts a charming hero, a cool crocodile — and a few missteps

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Real Salt Lake defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy with penalty kicks after 120 minutes of play at Qwest Field in Seattle.
nwautos
Local riders say they've seen a surge in scooter interest in recent years, mostly from people wanting another commuting option. Seattle now ranks as o...
Post a comment
nwjobs
Post a comment
Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
Do you suffer from "sitting disease"?
Post a comment
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Tugboat sinks at Seattle waterfront pier
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
- Craigslist adoption ad: A plea by young mother-to-be? A scam?
- Chase shrugs off loss of CD investors
- Woman stabbed by stranger in North Seattle
- Snow piles up on Cascade slopes
- Denny Triangle gains skyline, but tenants slow to come
- Illegal workers quietly let go
355 - Climate change speeds up since 1997 Kyoto accord
204 - Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
170 - Metro won't cut bus service after all
144 - Historic health care bill clears Senate hurdle
94 - New Husky recruit: Enes Kanter
88 - Tattoos at Mill Creek Church pierce skin, soul
81 - Jerry Brewer: Seahawks can't lean on the Hutch Crutch now
73 - Middleton says Huskies "plan on scoring at least 50 points'' Saturday
72 - UW, WSU once again meet to see who's worse
66
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Architects, chefs find 'kid' within to build Gingerbread Village
- Rediscovering Moab, 'the most beautiful place on Earth'
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Taste | The Great Pie Bake-off pits friends and fruit





