By-the-book ‘Little Women: The Broadway Musical' really sings

Performance Now’s novel adaptation soars thanks to strong performances from the 10-person cast

You may know the story, but Louisa May Alcott’s tale has never sounded better than when it’s sung by the impressive team assembled for Performance Now Theatre Company’s production of Little Women: The Broadway Musical.

The show, which plays at the Lakewood Cultural Center through Jan. 22, is a fantastic vehicle for the area’s top talent. This Tony Award-nominated musical is based on the plot of Alcott’s semi-autobiographical novel and follows the four March sisters: the oldest and most traditional, Meg (Sara M. Risner); the wild, aspiring writer, Jo (Leiney Rigg); the timid yet musical, Beth (Regan Fenske); and the youngest and most spoiled, Amy (Evelyn Kunch).

They live in Concord, Massachusetts, with their mother, the kind-hearted Marmee (Maggie Lamb), while their father serves as a Union Army chaplain during the Civil War. Across the street lives Laurie (Carter Edward Smith) and his grumpy grandfather, Mr. Laurence (Mark Dissette), who bond with the March sisters over the years. Told through a series of vignettes intercut with melodramatic short stories Jo has written in the attic, the musical follows the March sisters as they grow up and become women.

The full cast of Performance Now’s production of ‘Little Women: The Broadway Musical’

Little Women: The Broadway Musical’s book writer, Allan Knee, pens a straightforward adaptation that retains key moments from the novel while mixing in some pretty average songs from composer Jason Howland and lyricist Mindi Dickstein. While they push the story forward, the song’s simplistic lyrics and forgettable melodies are easily the weakest element of the musical.

What the songs lack in textual depth, the actors make up for in their performances. Director Victoria Holloway has done a remarkable job casting and directing her 10-person cast. Leiney Rigg’s star-making turn as Jo March is particularly noteworthy. Rigg commands the stage with her expert comedic timing and killer voice. She works effortlessly with every member of the cast and does an impressive job balancing Jo’s free-spirited nature with her clear devotion to her family.

Evelyn Kunch is deliciously snotty yet incredibly well-meaning in her role as the youngest March sister, Amy. She is a perfect foil to Rigg, and Kunch scores some of the biggest laughs of the night thanks to her hilarious physicality and facial reactions.

Regan Fenske is heartbreaking as the loveable Beth. She and Rigg’s performance of “Some Things Are Meant to Be” is a beautiful set piece full of sisterly connection while also being emotionally devasting and a haunting reminder of the fragility of life. Sara M. Risner isn’t given a ton to do as Meg but has good chemistry with the delightful Zach Stailey, who plays her lover, Mr. Brooke, and has great energy during the group scenes with all the sisters.

Michelle Jeffrres is hilarious as Aunt March, the family’s batty but incredibly wealthy and well-connected relative. Jeffrres nails the character’s cheeky one-liner but never allows the character to become a joke; she particularly excels during the character’s more serious moments, like explaining the rules of high society to Jo or when she reacts to Jo’s impromptu haircut.

(L-R) Leiney Rigg as Jo, MIchelle Jeffres as Aunt March

(L-R) Leiney Rigg as Jo and Michelle Jeffres as Aunt March

Rounding out the March family is Maggie Lamb, who is fabulous as Marmee, the powerful matriarch. Lamb delivers a nuanced performance as a mother who loves her daughter and is willing to move mountains to make their dreams come true. Though she is often forced to keep her feelings contained for the good of her family, she gets to let it all out in the moving ballad “Days of Plenty” that she sings to Jo in the second act.

Carter Edward Smith brings big goofball energy to his performance as Laurie. Smith’s smile is infectious, and he plays Laurie as a lost soul who wears his heart on his sleeve. The cast is completed by Mark Dissette and Bill Diggle, who both make strong impressions in their supporting roles as Mr. Laurence and Professor Bhaer, respectively. There isn’t a weak link in the cast, and everyone sounds amazing thanks to the music direction of Heather Iris Holt.

Holt conducts the seven-piece orchestra from underneath the stage, which adds to the charm of the production. Choreographer Jennifer Grahnquist’s dances are spirited, fun and make smart use of the set designed by Andrew S. Bates. Bates fills the staircase with a slew of household items to give the house a cluttered yet lived-in feel. Vance McKenzie’s lighting design is lovely and plays into the color palette of each character established by costume designer Susan Rahmsdorff-Terry.

Though the musical drags a little towards the end of Act 1, the show is always entertaining thanks to the dedicated ensemble and Holloway’s superb direction. Little Women: The Broadway Musical is perfect for audiences of all ages and a great way to warm your heart while it’s still cold outside!