Dare to Defy Productions presents the age-old classic ‘Little Women’
Dare to Defy Productions continues its 2017-2018 season with composer Jason Howland, lyricist Mindi Dickstein and librettist Alan Knee’s 2005 musical adaptation of “Little Women” through Sunday, Dec. 9, in the Mathile Theatre of the Schuster Center.
Based on the beloved 1868 novel by Louisa May Alcott, this coming-of-age tale concerns the four colorful March sisters – Meg, Jo, Amy and Beth – and their devoted Marmee coping with life on the homefront in Civil War-era New England. As the sisters navigate a relatable journey accented with themes of love, loss and identity, the story resonates with light humor and heartwarming tenderness.
“We chose ‘Little Women’ because in many ways it is the perfect show for us,” said Dare to Defy founder/artistic director Becki Norgaard. “The story is well known and has a universal appeal. The characters are real and challenging from an acting standpoint and the music is beautiful and effective. I personally connect with the character of Jo March. She was a hero to me in my formative years. She was so bold and refused to be hemmed in by expectations.”
“This story has a special place in my heart,” added Lorri Topping, who portrays Marmee. “The story has been a favorite since I was a little girl. Every time I come back to it I seem to latch on to a different character. In this instance, I find that I see much of myself in Marmee. On the outside she seems so strong and put together, but inside she lives in constant doubt of herself.”
Having been associated with Dare to Defy for many seasons as music director, Topping is excited to return to the stage after a long hiatus. She feels a deep kinship to Marmee having experienced great loss in recent years including the deaths of her two brothers as well as her own newborn child.
“Beth was almost grown when Marmee deals with her death but much of what she feels is the same,” Topping noted. “When you lose a child you don’t just feel that loss in one way. You grieve every bit of it. Every birthday, holiday, graduation, the list goes on. It’s like a piece of yourself has died and the hopelessness of ever recovering from this sorrow is impossible. The song ‘Days of Plenty’ beautifully captures this feeling.”
The lovely score also includes “Astonishing,” “Five Forever,” “Some Things Are Meant to Be,” and “The Fire Within Me.”
The cast includes Melissa Hall as Jo, Samantha Creech as Amy, Lindsay Sherman as Meg, Jessi Stark as Beth, A.J. Breslin as Laurie, Justin King as Professor Bhaer, Ted Eltzroth as Mr. Laurence, Becky Howard as Aunt March, and Jonathan Collura as John Brooke. In particular, Hall, a Wright State University graduate, memorably portrayed Fanny Brice in WSU’s “Funny Girl.”
“The true beauty of this material is in the relationships,” Norgaard added. “I laugh, cry and am inspired every time I see it. The entire cast is superb and I’m excited for people to see the show.”