Wholesome for the holidays: “Little Women: The Musical”
Super-wholesome and family focused, with a seasonal theme, the regional premiere of “Little Women: The Musical” won’t leave you whistling memorable tunes as you exit the Aurora Fox Theatre, but it will have you admiring certain local talents.
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Angela Mendez bursts with tomboy energy as Jo, and Megan Van De Hey is all warmth and maternal goodness as Marmee. The two vocal standouts reach an emotional peak in their stunning duet, “I Have a Garden,” but are surrounded by pleasing voices throughout.
The new musical (music by Kim Oler, lyrics by Alison Hubbard, book by Sean Hartley), based on Louisa May Alcott’s 19th century novel, is a tale of sisters growing into women, set in 1864 with the Civil War mentioned but kept out of sight. While father is away fighting the Confederates, the girls must deal with romance, illness and burgeoning independence.
This is Jo’s story, the tale of an admirable Victorian-era girl finding her place as a woman in the wider world, all while chronicling her family’s evolution as an aspiring writer. Jo’s story is Alcott’s story, which is why the character is the only one with a discernible inner life.
Mendez flings herself around the floor, runs up and down a flight of stairs to her attic writing perch, struts gamely and balks at etiquette training by the stuffy Aunt March (Boni McIntyre).
Between song and dance numbers, there are timeless lessons (“A lady always has a clean handkerchief ”), as well as some quaintly laughable language. (“Christopher Columbus!” passes for a curse.)
The creator of holiday short stories and plays — melodramas in which she enlists her sisters — Jo has a vivid imagination but yearns to experience life beyond her home in Concord, Mass.
A long first act relives old memories of Christmas and introduces new flirtations as the four sisters distinguish themselves: composed oldest sister Meg (Chloe McLeod); angelic and soon-to-be-sickly Beth (Jenna Bainbridge); petulant youngest sister Amy (Katie Jackson), the piece’s Material Girl; and Jo, the feisty heart of the household. High-spirited neighbor and potential love interest Laurie (a lively Mark Lively) will complicate matters for the girls, at first seeming a perfect match for Jo, later wooing another of the sisters.
Directed by Bev Newcomb, this version of the show omits an opening flashback featuring Jo’s mentor, Professor Bhaer (Gregory Price), instead introducing him late in the show when Jo moves to New York. The tale loses some symmetry that way, but it’s already long enough.
The four-person orchestra, under music director Martha Yordy, is commendable, and the evening’s overall effect is sweet.