Little women: (from left) Amanda Roberge (Amy), Kathryn Withers (Meg), Kim Baysinger (Marmee), Lisa Smith (Jo), and Suzanne Lenz (Beth). (Bill Giduz photo)

BY EMMALINE HARVEY
DavidsonNews.net

Fans of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel will have a ball at the Davidson Community Players musical performance of “Little Women, the Musical” this month. The show retains all the basics of the original story in this beautiful adventure with the March girls – a faithfulness to the book that is rare in the world of musical theater.

The cast of four leading women, the March sisters, is surprisingly strong both in acting and singing. Davidson Community Players veteran Lisa Smith leads as the stubborn Jo March and does a commendable job with such an emotional role.

Another March sister worth noting is the younger Beth, played by Davidson College student Suzanne Lenz. Ms. Lenz has appeared onstage at Duke Family Performance Hall before, and her experience is evident in this brief, but not soon forgotten role. As an avid “Little Women” fan myself, I knew Beth’s fate, though I could not help but wish for keeping her sweet presence in the spotlight a bit longer.

The large supporting cast is also ripe with talent. The original boy-next-door Laurie is played by Marc Bostos, whose part in the musical is unfortunately not as prevalent as in the 1994 Christian Bale movie. The talented Kim Baysinger handles Marmee’s dramatic turns with great skill, DCP veteran Joan Tate plays feisty old Aunt March with just the right amount of levity, and Kevin Roberge graces the stage as Professor Bhaer far too few times for an actor with such a wonderful voice.

The highlights are without question the company numbers, and specifically, the Act II opening song “The Weekly Volcano Press,” in which writer Jo reads aloud her story while the audience gets a peek inside her head to see the tale come to life in front of us.

This dramatic interpretation of Alcott’s text – with book by Allan Knee, music by Jason Howland and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein – brings the narrative to life in a creative manner perfect for a musical adaptation.

In addition to such impressive performances, the set wowed me the moment the curtain rose. It’s a testament to the level of professionalism and quality we’ve come to expect from Davidson Community Players.

Many in Friday night’s packed house made the show a mother-daughter outing, and they gave a standing ovation to the hard-working cast and live orchestra, directed by Jane Cain. Although the show runs a bit long (a little over two hours,) I suggest you reserve a ticket while you still can. This feel-good show was on Broadway only briefly, when it was overshadowed by bigger names. But it has become one of musical theater’s rare and hidden treasures.

WANT TO GO?

Performances of the Davidson Community Players’ “Little Women” are in Duke Family Performance Hall at Davidson College. Call 704-372-1000, drop by the box office in the college’s Alvarez Student Union, or visit www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org for tickets. The show continues this weekend and next.