Review: Little Women

Review: Little Women  | Phamaly Theatre Company | Northglenn, CO | Curtain Up! | Gina Robertson

Those of us with sisters hold a special place in our hearts for this story. We recognize ourselves and our siblings in the four March girls, in the way they love and support one another, and in the way they fight, hissing and scratching like cats. Set during the Civil War in New England, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is the story of aspiring young writer Jo March and her family.

Northglenn Arts and Phamaly Theatre Company present this adaptation by Erin Riley that makes the traditional story more personal, with narrator Jo addressing the audience directly. Director Shelly Gaza and associate director Claire Hayes have made the transition seamless as Jo pops in and out of scenes and frequently breaks the fourth wall.

Through Jo, we meet her three sisters, her parents, neighbors, friends, and her grumpy old Aunt March and see them through her eyes. Mel Schaffer anchors the character of Jo with enormous heart and emotional clarity. They give Jo the self-confidence, ambition, and drive she needs to navigate tragedy, love, and success both at home and away, while gently portraying her vulnerability and frustration in moments of doubt and disappointment. With exuberant energy bursting in every scene, Schaffer throws herself into each movement and practically bounces around on the tip of her tail like Tigger the tiger.

Phamaly is the longest-running disability theatre in the United States. The addition of disabilities amongst the cast adds a surprisingly natural dimension to the story that feels like it belongs. When we meet Amy (Kennedy Isaac), she is struggling to walk smoothly with a book on her head, because of course, she would. Meg (Lily Blessing) communicates only in sign language, with her words projected on a screen for the audience, and most of the other characters’ dialogue is delivered smoothly in sign language as well, for Meg’s benefit. Rather than a distraction, this feels like just what the family would do for a loved one with a hearing impairment, and we barely notice. Learning sign language makes the wooing of Meg by Mr. Brooke (Grey Dumois) all the sweeter because he must start learning her language before he can even speak to her.

L to R : Aspen K Somers, Lily Blessing, and Kennedy Isaac | Photo Credit: Amanda Tipton

Other disabilities among the cast are invisible to us, like epilepsy and Tourette’s syndrome, a reminder that a person’s disability needn’t be their identity but is just an aspect we may learn about as we get to know them.

As Amy, Kennedy Isaac masters timing and facial expression to provide moments of delightful comedy. She presents the journey of Amy, maturing from a shallow, silly youngest sister fixated on hair ribbons and constantly using the wrong word to a grown woman and world traveler who becomes a wife and mother.

Oldest sister Meg (Lily Blessing) is the nurturing second mother to Jo and the other girls. Blessing’s calm demeanor and soothing gestures show Meg’s role in the sisterhood is one of guidance and responsibility. She occasionally vocalizes a line or two, an effective way to give Meg a real voice, and Blessing’s comforting presence on stage is always felt.

Tragic, shy Beth (Aspen K Somers) is all sweetness and innocence. She is underutilized, as her bashfulness keeps her quietly hiding behind other characters and avoiding interaction outside the family. Somers conveys the frailty of her constant anxiety, as well as the joy of the opportunity to express herself through music. She is as effective as the memory of a sister in Act II as she is being an actual sister in the first act.

L to R: Mel Schaffer and Aspen K Somers | Photo Credit: Amanda Tipton

Laurie, the next-door neighbor, and Professor Bhaer are the charismatic love interests for Amy and Jo. In his wheelchair, Laurie (Casey Myers) is dashing and smartly dressed. Filled with his own sense of confidence, he moves with grace and charm, naturally fitting the scene and causing young ladies to take notice of his enthusiasm for life. Vin Ernst shows off their skills as a dialect coach with a passable German accent as the professor, who meets and falls in love with Jo during her stay in New York. Earnest and gregarious, Professor Bhaer’s interactions with Jo seem to transform her from a girl into a woman.

L to R: Mel Schaffer and Casey Myers | Photo Credit: Amanda Tipton

Linda Wirth is a must-mention as Aunt March. Loud and opinionated, she steals the scene every time while passing judgment on the behavior of her nieces or calling to them from off stage. She isn’t one to be ignored.

All the characters are beautifully dressed by costume designer Madison Booth in period-appropriate attire that supports each role. The set is a lovely Victorian-style sitting room, like a 3D shadow box, warm and inviting with just a touch of stylish, class-conscious décor as befitting a poor family with rich relatives.

Audiences who already know and love Little Women will find the story well presented in this production, and children may discover a love for these characters, prompting them to read Alcott’s classic novel to learn more.

Information and tickets: https://phamaly.org/show/little-women/