If you’re looking for a touching tale that is huge on whimsy, adventure, and family, then the stage adaptation of LITTLE WOMEN written by Heather Chrisler and directed by Melissa Crum is the perfect warm-fuzzy for you this December. Running at Dobama Theatre now through December 31, 2023, this smartly-directed gem is full of feel-good fun and all of the emotions of growing up.
According to the Dobama website, “The March sisters unwrap the classic tale of LITTLE WOMEN this holiday season. Four actors recreate this timeless novel. Jo and her sisters create scenes of love and loss while making up stories of witches and fairies. As these four little women come of age in a journey of self-discovery, we learn that while families change and grow, the ones we love are always close at heart.”
Originally written by Louisa May Alcott, the semi-autobiographical novel of the March sisters was originally published in two volumes, in and 1868 and 1869.
In the stage version, Theo Allyn takes on the character of Jo, Mariah Burks becomes Meg / Professor Bhaer, Amaya Kiyomi embodies Amy / John Brooke, and Natalie Green encapsulates Beth / Laurie.
The ups and downs of life are beautifully brought to life by this quartet of highly competent actors, the script successfully captures the journey of the book, and the story is playfully directed.
“We have to make fun for ourselves,” say the girls, as it’s the time of the Civil War and their father is away in battle. Lacking money (but not imagination), they spend their days adventuring in the attic, making up stories, sword fighting with umbrellas, and noticing the boy (Laurie) across the way. Their sister bonds are tight as they create mischief, quarrel, and help each other through everything from near-drowning to unrequited love.
Allyn plays Jo with strength and joy, and the character’s dreams of being a writer soar through with tenacious ferocity via Allyn’s energy and charisma. Jo is a bit of a tom boy and quite the visionary, and Allyn does an amazing job in this role of leading the March girls along the road from childhood to adulthood. With the passion for writing being presented so longingly, Allyn’s Jo may even inspire audience members to take up the art.
Burks gives a wise and caring glow to the oldest sister, Meg. Although she helps Marmee (their mother) run the house, Meg desires to travel and dress up in fancy clothes like her rich friends. She ends up marrying for love (not money) and understanding the importance of family over fortune. Her energy is grounded and Burks gives the character the right blend of responsibility and liveliness. Her scenes battling currant jelly while whirling over half a dozen hula hoops is impressive and inspired.
Kiyomi is multi-layered as Amy, showing the character as she grows from a jealous little sister into a focused artist. This character journey is perhaps the most pronounced of the four, with Kiyomi letting Amy begin as the envious little sister (and burning Jo’s manuscript) only to flourish into a bright artist as a young lady.
Green is stellar as the shy Beth, and then as she morphs into the character of boy-next-door Laurie. This double duty is well-played. Green sparkles as the sickly Beth, portraying an innocence full of love and hope; she also succeeds at switching over to the rich and slightly selfish Laurie with ease, giving him a likable air of confidence and promise.
The staging is imaginative, using the set and prop elements to highlight the story and action. A particular highlight of this is the ice skating scene, with books being used to represent spots on the river, buckets swishing the floor in the background to create the skating sounds, and the playful use of ribbons to accent the action. Small electric candles adorn the set for a constant warm glow, and the actors move the scenery around to change locations in a way that’s fluid. Visually, the production is very detailed and beautiful.
The creative team for the production includes Scenic Design by Laura Carlson Tarantowski, Lighting Design by Josephine Coyle, Sound Design by Angie Hayes, Costume Design by Colleen Bloom, Props Design by Vanessa Cook, Assistant Direction by Cali Parey, and Technical Direction by Connor Stout. The show is stage managed by Barbara Kozlov and assistant stage managed by Lizzi Lucarell. Production swings include Rachel Gold and Adrionna Powell.
Overall it’s a piece highlighting the bonds of sibling strength, the nostalgia of holding on to childhood, and the desire to come back to the safe people and places in life. We can all learn from those people and places. See LITTLE WOMEN – you will laugh, hope, cry, and dream.
The show has a run time of 120 minutes which includes one 15 minute intermission. Content Advisory: Adult Situations, Disease.
Tickets:
$35-42. For a complete schedule, specific ticket prices, and reservations, call the Dobama Theatre box office at 216-932-3396 or visit dobama.org/little-women. Ask about the “pay-what-you-can” performances and opportunities.
Pay-What-You-Can tickets available one hour to every performance at the Box Office.
Special Pay-What-You-Can performances:
Sunday, December 3rd and Thursday, December 7th @ 7:30pm.
Photos by Steve Wagner Photography
Kate Klotzbach 