I re-read Louisa May Alcott's beloved classic Little Women just before seeing ArtsWest's performance of the 2005 Broadway musical based on her book. I wouldn't recommend doing that.
Reading it did remind me of the tight bond between the four, so very different, sisters, but it made the mashing and re-arranging of the plot lines irritating. The musical leaves in the interactions of the girls, adds lots of songs – only a few of them memorable – and leaves out the piety and the playfulness of the original.
It begins with Christmas, but doesn't evoke the poverty, selflessness and resourcefulness found in the book's recounting of that Civil War-era holiday celebration. At three hours, including a 15-minute intermission, I found it overly long. However, a large number of teen and pre-teen girls listened and watched with rapt attentiveness and eagerly went on stage afterward to meet Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy. They, and my 11-year-old companion, didn't mind the length.
There are some good points to the play: an acoustic piano and string quartet, partly visible at the back of the stage; strong voices; a poignant portrayal of the death of Beth, and Jo's mourning for her that brought tears to my eyes; and Patricia Haines-Ainsworth's wonderfully tart portrait of Aunt March. I wish the aunt had more time on stage, as she brought some of the few laughs.
Amy (Maddy Kennard) and Laurie (Michael Krenning) sparkled in their song-and-dance number "The Most Amazing Thing," about their falling in love. Amanda Louise Carpp's Beth and Jeff Church's stern Mr. Laurence were charming in the piano duet "Off to Massachusetts" – although readers of the book will know that the painfully shy Beth would never ever do anything like that.
There are some weaknesses: I found EmilyRose Frasca's Jo too strident at times and Krenning's Laurie rather insipid. Starting the plot at Jo's New York boarding house and then snapping back to the family's home in Concord was confusing, and the storyline could have used some editing of scenes and songs.
My 11-year-old friend, Madison Jones, said she didn't really like the musical play: "It was too cheesy and dramatic (when Jo was telling a story and there were actors in the background acting it out). I agree with the girl in the audience who said ‘EEWW' (when Meg and John kissed) … There was a lot of romance; a little too much. It would have been better as a tragedy."
The romantic encounters are between oldest sister, Meg, and Laurie's tutor, John Brooks; between Jo and Prof. Bauer; and between Amy and Laurie – plus an aborted romance when Jo vigorously rejects Laurie's overtures of marriage. The three kisses were handled sweetly and chastely and were integral to the plot. Probably a lot of teen and pre-teen girls will enjoy that aspect.
Know your daughter's likes and dislikes and plan accordingly. Beth's death is handled sweetly and gently – she passes a shell to Jo and walks quietly offstage – and should not be too upsetting for most pre-teens.
IF YOU GO
Where: ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave. S.W., West Seattle.
When: Through Dec. 29. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Matinees Saturdays Dec. 14 and 21 and all Sundays, 3 p.m.
Age recommendation: 8 and older (mostly because of length).
Cost: Adults $36.50; seniors (65+) $33; younger than 25 $17.
Special events:
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Tea and a Show: Holiday tea at 2 p.m. and show at 3 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 14 and 21; adults $40, seniors $36; younger than 25 $20 for both events.
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Post-show talk: Join the cast and crew following the matinee on Sunday, Dec. 15 for a discussion on what it is like to be in the production; no additional charge.
Contact: 206-938-0339; www.artswest.org.
Wenda Reed is a Bothell writer and theater lover. Madison Jones, also of Bothell, is a fifth grader at the Bear Creek School.
