Hedgerow Theatre’s smartly staged production of Kate Hamill’s ‘Little Women’, under the direction by Abby Weissman, is a touching tale of a predominately female family, who are not perfect, don’t always get along or fit in, but who nonetheless remain a ‘union’. The story is set in the 1860s – early 1870s during the American Civil War as the March sisters, and their country, in liminal states, struggle with inward and outward changes, limitations and expectations, and is deftly reflected by a cadre of very talented actors, designers and crew.
Louisa May Alcott began her novel Little Women in 1868 under pressure. She did not want to write about girls and especially not boring “moral pap”, however she caved in to her publisher’s demand for a story for little girls in order to support her sisters and mother because her father could not. What Alcott did do was to base her ‘girls’ story on her own siblings. The characters, Meg (based on Alcott’s sister Anna who wanted married life, wonderfully brought to being on stage by Minou Pourshariati!), Beth (Alcott’s sister Elizabeth who passed at age 23 from scarlet fever, sweetly portrayed by Olive Gallagher), Jo (a tom-boy based on Alcott herself, played with plucky perfection by Marissa Emerson ) and Amy (Alcott’s headstrong sister May, done with superb spunk by Jameka Monet Wilson), and of course Marmee (their mother, tenderly rendered by Emily-Grace Murray), became some of the most beloved of the era.
Alcott’s enduring realistic, imperfect, squabbling family tale is yet in print, has been translated into numerous languages, made into films, theatrical productions and produced for television.
L to R: Leo Mock , Marissa Emerson, Minou Pourshariati, Emily Grace, Murray Jameka, Monet Wilson and James Arthel Reilly
The first stage play, written by Marian de Forest, was produced with the permission of the Alcott family in 1912 on Broadway’s Playhouse Theatre. A number of other theatrical renditions of the book have since been produced. Playwright Kate Hamill’s ‘Little Women’ explores feminist and gender perspectives, strengthening Alcott’s Victorian era introduction of strong female roles, and being yourself, even taking it further. There is also the sense of Wilder’s ‘Our Town’, of times gone by that can’t be reclaimed except in memory and affection. This sense was augmented by sinuous musical scene changes, accompanied by adaptive lighting (Lily Fossner). Amazingly agile actors, who also play various instruments (Musical Direction by Matthew Mastronardi), as well as the essential support of the production team and crew create an aura of times past, yet manage to strike a chord upon issues of today.
Just in time for the Holiday Season, ‘Little Women’ reminds us of family – while not perfect, yet loved and prized… AND, there is a small bonus finale concert with Christmas Carols and more!
LITTLE WOMEN by Kate Hamill
Adapted from the novel by Louisa May Alcott
Remaining shows run December 4th – December 28th
Tickets at https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=294555 or call 610-565-4211
Hedgerow Theatre 64 Rose Valley Rd., Media PA 19063