Little Women at Acacia Theatre

Acacia Theatre Company opened Little Women: the Broadway Musical this past weekend at Concordia University’s Todd Wehr Auditorium.  Based on the beloved tale by Louisa May Alcott, the musical version follows most of the main events of the novel with few omissions. Even though the merging of an American classic with songs may seem idyllic, it instead turns the charming story of four sisters during the American Civil War into caricature. The charm of Alcott’s story is lost despite the adequate and sometimes even endearing performances.

Based on Alcott’s own childhood and young adult years in Massachusetts, Little Women chronicles the life of Alcott’s transcendentalist family. During her far-from-typical youth, Alcott’s parents were friends with Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Alcott’s liberal home life encouraged her not only to pursue writing but also to do so in the genuine tone that makes Little Women endure. A musical version of Alcott’s fictionalized life feels disingenuous, even if it was perfectly pitched and played out.

Jo March has always been the sister that reflects Alcott herself. Stacy Becker is slightly careless and petulant in her portrayal of Jo. However, her joy and spontaneity is right on the mark. Becker is also able to move the show forward with ideal pacing. Several others in the cast could not keep up.

Elaine Rewolinski as Aunt March and Mrs. Kirk and Mike D. DeLong as Mr. Laurence (and the Knight) do not miss a single beat in their performances, and provide much needed humor throughout the 180-minute show. Cherisse Duncan is lovely as the shyest March sister, Beth. She is especially sweet in a final scene with Becker and in her duet of ‘Off to Massachusetts’ with DeLong. Anna Bauer as Meg March and Magdelyn Monahan as Amy March are both competent, if slightly two-dimensional. David Mews is miscast as Laurie, the neighbor fascinated by the four March sisters.

Much of the singing was strained and most of the actors seemed not quite able to hit the range required by each song. A few actors even had enormous trouble ‘selling the song’ when vocals were not up to task. The two and a half hour show may be too long for many children, and those familiar with the book will miss little details like Amy’s last will and testament, Meg’s make-over and the hedge post office. Acacia’s production proves to be a half-hearted interpretation of Alcott’s classic.

Little Women: the Musical completes its short run now through July 19. Call 414.744.5995 or visit the website at www.acaciatheatre.com for ticketing information and more.