The cast of “Little Women.” Photo courtesy of New Direction Community Theater.
“Little Women?” Yes, please! Who can resist Louisa May Alcott’s story of the March sisters coming of age during the American Civil War. Upon its 1868 publication, the novel became an immediate commercial and critical success in the United States and the United Kingdom. Over the past 156 years, it has been adapted for stage, film, and television numerous times. We just can’t get enough of the March girls—traditional Meg, tomboy Jo, sweet Beth, and prim and proper Amy.
Good acting, a detailed set, and pretty costumes work in the production’s favor…could serve as a charming introduction to the March family…
New Direction Community Theater has now made this classic tale of sacrifice and love on the home front their own. Under the direction of Candida Olney, Amanda Connelley stars as the hot-tempered, boyish Jo March. Her performance is strong and grounded, giving her character a believable and growing arc of maturity. Keri Gray gives a standout performance as Marmee, the family matriarch. She is paired with the equally talented Frank Clever as Mr. March. Sherry Mervine shines as Aunt March, the gruff, outspoken widow.
The rest of the young cast shows great potential. Haley Hermann is the sensible eldest sister, Meg, Gabriella Gray is the timid and sickly Beth, and Gianna Baummer is the prissy and artistic Amy. Logan Patton plays Laurie, the orphaned neighbor boy who lives with his wealthy grandfather. He loves all the March sisters but is especially fond of Jo. Ethan Valentine is John Brookes, Laurie’s tutor and Meg’s love interest. Blaine Becker rounds out the cast as the bumbling Professor Bhaer, a German immigrant who falls in love with the adult Jo.
Olney not only directs the play but gets credit for the set design. She transforms Long Beach Community Center into the March’s parlor making it look every part the home of a middle class, American family in the 1860s. Thanks to costume designer Laurie Foster, the characters are clothed in apparel reflective of the simple elegance one would expect in a household of women making do in wartime. Still, more attention to detail is needed. Is grumpy, old Aunt March wearing purple nail polish?
Purists, be warned! New Direction is using an adaption by playwright John Ravold. The script, particularly the third act, comes across as campy and without the warmth and sentiment of Alcott’s novel. While the first two acts are a Reader’s Digest version of the book highlighting the main events within the March household, Act Three is more like a modern day rom-com, complete with awkward crushes, a misunderstanding about who is with whom, and meddling family members.
Good acting, a detailed set, and pretty costumes work in the production’s favor, but a bad script is challenging to overcome. Did Marmee just call Meg and her new husband John “you guys?”
For this reason, New Direction’s production of “Little Women” may best be suited to those who are not familiar with Alcott’s writing or other adaptations. It could serve as a charming introduction to the March family for those who didn’t fall in love with them years ago.
Running Time: Approximately two hours with two 15-minute intermissions.
“Little Women” runs through March 2, 2024 presented by New Direction Community Theater at Long Beach Community Center, at 5845 Calvert Blvd., St. Leonard, MD 20685. For more information and to purchase tickets, go online.
