Review: The Stories Sisters Shall Tell in CCTC's LITTLE WOMEN: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I walked into the familiar lobby of the Cape Cod Theatre Company, home of the Harwich Junior Theatre. Having never admittedly read Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, the story of four sisters who share a bond that refuses to be broken amidst the daunting and unpredictable circumstances known as "life," I entered the theatre and was amazed by the beautiful and humble set that I saw before me: a piano forte with chairs and couches and everything one could want to make a place homely and welcoming. Before me was a kind place, a place with an attic which told of various stories apart from the ones written within the confines of its walls - a place which seemed to silently exclaim that there was not an ounce of joy which pervaded the air that could not be shared amongst those who took party in this story yet to be told.

Of course I now write this in hindsight, having seen the true beauty of Alcott's novel performed on stage, and for some reason I find it easier to reevaluate what I first saw with the knowledge of what it actually represents; I just feel a need to start this piece from my beginning, and as the sisters in this story do the same, I feel like this whole journey was just incredibly special for the lot of us.

So saying, the Cape Cod Theatre Company's production of Little Women: The Broadway Musical is really something special. As I couldn't give you a visceral explanation of what it made me feel, this is a story who's truest depth and exquisiteness - its true emotion - is to be found once the journey is complete, and even then does a new beginning have the means of springing forth. Both the story and the way it was performed on stage, with music to bring out what is nothing less than extraordinary about four average girls and what their lives amount to, has such a spark to it as only CCTC can make happen - not only with this but with every show the group chooses to do. There is such an understanding amongst these characters that their lives will change, yet their hopes and their promises, their desires and the despair which accompanies every step taken in their lives, will always remain constant so long as they stick together, and that is a bond so hard to come by that audiences are sure to witness it, try to understand it and, ultimately, come to absolutely love all that this musical is.

The Cape Cod Theatre Company (HJT) has been bringing the Cape absolutely wonderful shows for just about the past sixty-five years, and it continues the tradition - just about an expectation at this point - of providing audiences with more than a good reason to return for each subsequent show performed. Little Women: The Broadway Musical, with a book by Allan Knee, music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and hereby directed/choreographed by Terry Norgeot, brings feelings of tenderness, love, loss and I'd even say bravery to a rather unsuspecting audience. Not even at first knowing the fundamentals of the plot, there are so many rare qualities that make this musical so tender and heartfelt, and I was just amazed and how it has the ability to make one feel the music and what is sung - to experience Jo's fervor in becoming a world-famous writer, to understand why Amy is not to be blamed for the way she is after she returns, repentant, to her sisters' sides, and to just see how all of the sisters are all connected by one force that, no matter how different they seem to be, give them that same undying aura of life. The audience can only really wish them well, and with that in mind, the rest unfolds in a beautiful chain of events that defines the uniqueness of Little Women.

Taking place in both Concord, MA and New York City during the mid-nineteenth century, Alcott's novel follows the lives of the four March sisters (Jo Beth, Meg, Beth and Amy) and how, through their childhood adventures together and current lives engaged in anticipating their father's every word abroad, their mother who engages in dramatic productions with her daughters and those who vie for the love each has to give, they mature into "little women" from the girls the audience first perceives them to be. Jo has the creative temperament of the group, writing less-than-conventional stories in hopes that she will one day become a published writer; her spunk, daring and admirable lack of etiquette and admirable defiance of what a female of the time should be is just a brilliant character trait. Meg is the eldest and more refined, while Beth is the incredibly sweet, musically inclined of the four sisters and Amy is more focused on her image in society and has an ongoing sibling rivalry with Jo. The four sisters, who once made a pact to stick together always, are soon faced with life: men, illness and what will come that threatens to tear them apart while making each individually faced with her own goals and aspirations. It is a beautiful tale that, when given further expression through music, really makes CCTC the place to be for a wonderful evening at the theatre.

Director Terry Norgeot did a wonderful job casting this show, as each actor lends his or her talents to create a perfect world for Alcott's novel. Caitlin Mills as Jo Beth March is stunning, as she is in every show I have seen her involved in thus far. Not only does she have a powerful voice and everything that makes for a great actress, but the way she seems to just fall into her character's life and nuances is really incredible. As Jo, she is defiant and spunky and becomes the heroine of the story through her daring and proclamations that the world can be hers without a thing having to be changed about her being. What is so intriguing about her character is that her happiness is always there, within her, but she always allows more to enter her soul when she realizes that she cannot do without it; I just saw that as so wonderful. Mills really does a beautiful job as the sister audiences will have little trouble loving to the very end.

Lindsey Erin Agnes as Amy March portrays the rather "innocent haughtiness " that comes to define her character. She is concerned about her image and becoming a lady, and although her intentions are simple and pure enough, she possesses this underlying fierceness almost that makes her regret her actions yet allows her to move towards fulfilling them nonetheless. Agnes portrays this mix nicely in her character, and indeed she has a beautiful voice fitting for the role.

Katie Lynch Koglin as Meg March is more refined and mature than her sisters, being the eldest, and those moments when she is allowed her time to sing her feelings really does well to bring out her rather likeable character. She, too, has a beautiful soprano voice that deserves (and indeed earns) much applause. Hope O'Conor as Beth is unbelievably perfect for this role. She is sickeningly sweet (and please take that as a compliment, as her character shines because of that), and this makes me wonder how she can be anything besides that in real life. The duet she sings with Jo towards the musical's end is simply touching; it will bring tears to everyone's eyes, and her character's journey from the start to that moment really gnaws at everyone's heartstrings when her voice permeates the room before the unthinkable happens.

Richard Jay Sullivan* as Professor Bhaer, Sonia Schonning as Marmee March, Anthony Logan Cole as Laurie Laurence, Sheila Furtado as Aunt March and Mrs. Kirk, Kevin Kenneally as John Brooke and Jeff Dexter as Mr. Laurence deserve as much praise and mention, as together they make this musical something truly memorable.

Cristina Dinella on piano (and also serving as Musical Director), Lary Chaplan on violin, Margaret Gerber on flute and piccolo and Chris Kerins on violin and cello make this musical come alive, and all in the orchestra must be given equal credit for the original reason our souls are stirred after the lights go out in that theater.

Robin McLaughlin as costumer and James P. Byrne as scenic designer, alongside David Wilson as light designer and J. Hagenbuckle as sound designer must also be included in on this mound of praise, as there wouldn't be a show without them!

So, if you would love to see a show of utmost quality and with clear talent, with a story that comes together with the evident efforts of so many wonderful people and, finally, that will make you believe in the magic of theater, please see Little Women: The Broadway Musical at the Cape Cod Theatre Company, located at 105 Division Street in West Harwich. Performances began April 1st and will continue thru May 1st. Performances are held on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 with a Sunday matinee at 2:00. School vacation week performances will be Wednesday, April 20th at 2:00, Thursday, April 21st at 7:00 and Saturday, April 23rd at 2:00. Ticket prices range from $15-$25 and may be purchased online at capecodtheatrecompany.org or by calling the box office at (508) 432.2002. Light refreshments and snacks will be sold during intermission.

Enjoy the show!

*Appears courtesy of Actor's Equity Association

Photo Credit: Nina K. Schuessler

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