Little Women – The Musical at HART Surprisingly Fun!

Kathleen Taylor, Aaron Morrow, Sarah Nolte, Samuel Alexander Hawkins,
Elise Byrne, Robin Reese Michaels, Bronwyn Jones, Jessica Gerson, Noah
Miller, and Andy Roberts (on floor)

By Tina Arth

Based on my personal attitude toward the book, movies, and conventional play, I was not terribly optimistic about HART Theatre’s holiday offering, a comparatively new (2005) and very different approach to Louisa May Alcott’s 1869 novel Little Women.  However, the book (by playwright Allan Knee), lyrics (by Mindi Dickstein), and music (by Jason Howland) caught me completely off-guard. Instead of two acts of maudlin musical soap opera, I was treated to a fast-paced, almost Cliff’s Notes version of the book, leaving room for plenty of music, exploration of heroine Jo’s experiences outside the March household, and several really engaging (and funny) fantasy sequences drawn from Jo’s vivid imagination. Director Chris Byrne and vocal director Lindsey Lefler have whipped their cast into a singing, dancing, swashbuckling machine that provides some really first-class performances.

Between deletion of some story elements, expansion of others, and a non-linear timeline, audience members not familiar with conventional presentations of Little Women may find it all a bit confusing at first, but even for the uninitiated the story quickly gels. While most of the play takes place in the March household in Concord, Massachusetts, Act I begins in 1865 in the New York City boarding house where Jo is working and pursuing her dream to be an author – it is here that we meet Jo, Mrs. Kirk (the homeowner) and Professor Bhaer. After the opening scene, the action shifts back a year, and we meet the four March daughters, Marmee (their mother), the wealthy, independent widow, Aunt March, their neighbor Mr. Laurence, his nephew Theodore (“Laurie”), and Laurie’s tutor, Mr. Brooke.  Leave it at this: rebellious, independent tomboy Jo shares her home with her Marmee and three close-knit sisters, the conventional Meg, sweet but frail Beth, and Amy, the often bratty youngest girl. They are quite poor, a condition exacerbated by their father’s absence (he has gone off to join the Union Army and fallen quite ill).  Marmee goes off to nurse her husband, and over time the unity of the family is threatened by both illness and romance – by the end, one daughter is lost and the remaining girls have each found love. See the musical at HART for more, and watch the new movie (or an older version) or read the book for all of the details!

Expect to be blown away by the energy and talent of the HART cast – not always perfect, but giving their all and hitting some amazing literal and figurative high notes as actors, singers, and dancers.  A few high points (with no intent to slight actors not mentioned): Elise Byrne’s “Jo” brings jaw-dropping vitality to her role, displaying unexpected talent for physical comedy and hitting some show-stopping, prolonged high notes that set the stage on fire! Jessica Gerson is perfect for the role of quiet, timid “Beth” – but the real fun is seeing her transformed into the heroic Rodrigo II. Sarah Nolte, as the family’s anchor Marmee, is especially moving when she lets her guard down at vulnerable moments, as in the beautiful “Here Alone.” 

Andy Roberts’ villainous “Braxton” is high melodrama, and Noah Miller’s “Rodrigo” is hilarious as he leaps into the imaginary fray.  Miller’s sensitive performance as Laurie provides some of the best acting in the show, and his skill as a dancer sets a high bar for the rest of the cast.  Another fine performance comes from Samuel Alexander Hawkins, whose “Professor Bhaer” plays such a key role in the musical version – I had not really seen Hawkins’ vocal ability in previous shows, and was impressed with the maturity he brought to the role.  Finally, the overall vocal ensemble work was utterly lovely – powerful, accurate, and worthy of HART’s upgraded new sound system.

As usual with community theater, people off-stage wear multiple hats - Director Byrne’s responsibilities included both set and costume design, and she did an impressive job with all of her roles. Lovers of more traditional presentations of Little Women should thoroughly enjoy this unique take, and for the Little Women averse (like myself) the show is a must-see!

Little Women is playing at the HART Theatre, 185 SE Washington, Hillsboro through Sunday, December 22, with performances Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m.  There is an additional 2:00 p.m. performance on Saturday, December 14.