Emcee's LITTLE WOMEN review

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 10:51pm

I have really mixed feelings about the show, but I did enjoy it.

The story has always been a beautiful, heartwarming one, but I don't really think it's a story that necessarily needed to be put to music, which rather poses a problem. It kind of reminds me of Jane Eyre, but I can't put my finger on specific reasons why. The score as a whole isn't dreadful, but some of the songs ("The Most Amazing Thing," for example) are absolutely dreadful, boring and contrived. I felt like the story was set to music just for the sake of spicing it up a little bit, even though it's gotten along just perfectly for a very long time sans music. Some of the lyrics are too corny for anyone's own good... they're too contrived. The score falls a little bit flat in that it's just boring, but most of it isn't really that bad. "Astonishing" is the only song I can even semi-remember, and I just got home ten minutes ago.

The book's biggest problem is in its gaps, and what it leaves up to assumption that the audience is familiar with the story. The best example is probably in that it was kind of confusing for a bit if you hadn't read the book or seen the movie, or if you'd simply forgotten, how Jo and the professor end up knowing each other, and how she ends up living with him.

I thought the sets were beautiful. They do a great job of conveying physical depth, which I don't think I've noticed so vivdly before. One thing I really liked about the staging was when Jo was reading her stories aloud, and they were acted out above her. It was a nice way to blend the two worlds, ficticious and real, so to speak. It let something happen away from the main action without taking away too much attention from either the central characters or from the action.

Sutton Foster is as adorable and gawky as ever. She sounds beautiful, and I couldn't help but get chills every time she sang. She may be over-acting a bit, but she's doing a good job. She has brilliant presence that just overshadows almost everyone she shares that stage with. She simply glows up there. She'll definitely get a Tony nomination, and it's probable that she'll win, but her performance doesn't quite scream out for a sure-fire win. Her wigs weren't too great, though. They looked very fake.

Maureen McGovern gave a great performance, of course. She was very dignified, and sang beautifully.

I know Meg was always the flattest of the characters, but unfortunately Jenny Powers didn't do anything to better that situation. She was terribly boring. Megan McGinnis was adorable. She captured the angelic Beth very well, I thought. Amy McAlexander was alright; I never liked Amy's character much, and since she played a horridly annoying Amy, it was hard to warm up to her performance very much.

The understudy was on for Laurie... Chris Gunn was his name. He's a talented guy, but he's miscast here. He was too goofy and I couldn't take him very seriously when the time came. He'd be better suited to play Boq or something.

It was great to see John Hickok on stage again. It's been a long time. He'll always be Zoser to me, but he was really good. His portrayal of the professor was meek but lovable, and he was in very good voice.

Oh, and just allow me to get this out. If you bring small children to the theatre, don't explain to them what's going on in the middle of the show, even if it's Kids' Night on Broadway. And, if you have to un-confuse your child, don't do it audibly. And don't give your children gum to unwrap in the middle of the performance, either.

Anyway, that's all. Thanks for reading.

Updated On: 2/16/05 at 10:51 PM

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 10:55pm

Thank you Emcee,
As always your reviews are a pleasure to read

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 10:56pm

If you bring small children to the theatre, don't explain to them what's going on in the middle of the show

Amen. At Wicked last week, there were some kids and parents sitting behind me and the whole show the kids would loudly ask questions and the parents would loudly answer them.

It was beyong irritating.
Beautiful review, emcee.

[Allie]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 10:57pm

Another wonderfully written review, Emcee!
I'm glad that, for the most part, you enjoyed yourself!

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 10:57pm

Thanks for the great review as usual Emcee! I'm going Saturday, and I think I'm really gonna like it even with some flaws. I'm glad at least you had a better experience than your last show.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 11:00pm

Great review, Emcee. I pretty much agree with you on everything (although I didn't see Sutton Foster, so I can't comment on her acting). I saw Chris Gunn as well and found him incredibly miscast.

[TGIF]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 11:01pm

Glad you had fun Emcee. Always a pleasure to read your reviews. I want to see the show, for the sake of seeing it before the Tony but the tickets are so darn expensive save for rush.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 11:01pm

Emcee - thanks again for your thoughts. I agree that you cannot explain the show to your kids audibly during a performance, but occasionally you do need to whisper a quick answer. I find it very important to bring the kids to theatre early. Mine sat through Of Thee I Sing recently and applauded enthusiastically. They are trained and would never speak full voice during a show. Updated On: 2/15/05 at 11:01 PM

[TVBoy]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 11:03pm

nice review... thanks Emcee!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 11:06pm

Thanks, guys!

[Chloe]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 11:08pm

You bring the show to life very vividly. I would guess you're right that this kind of literary classic doesn't necessarily make the best material of musical adaptation - too sprawling and not plot-driven enough.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 11:08pm

I'm always glad to add a new McG appreciator to the list!

Updated On: 2/16/05 at 11:08 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 11:10pm

Yes yes. Consider me added!

[ShuQ]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 11:12pm

Great review. And maybe the part of Laurie just sucks overall. I hated the regular Laurie..maybe it's the part, maybe it's him AND his understudy.

[insomniak]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 11:19pm

Emcee, I never know how to respond to your reviews because you're so through and I can't think of anything else to ask. No questions here, thanks.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 11:21pm

You all flatter me way too much.

[apdarcey]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 1:46am

i actually really enjoyed the score to this show. and i thought many of the tunes were memorable.

[shira467]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 4:59am

Thanks Emcee! I think I feel very similarly to you. I felt Megan McGinnis brought so much vulnerability to the character. You could actually feel it. I mean, she made me cry, which takes quite a bit.

The wigs are terrible - I mean, what the hell?

I heart Sutton, ask anyone - but it's not the best performance I've ever seen - I prefered her in Millie, yet she's still very well suited to this role. Those top notes of Astonishing - I hope she doesn't lose her voice, because they sound slightly strained.

Anyway, thanks!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 8:05am

I'm sorry to hear that you saw the Laurie understudy; I thought Danny Gurwin was one of the actors I found most enjoyable to watch. He gave the part a personality (or as much as possible given the lack of personality within the book).

[maggiwun]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 8:39am

How often is Danny Gurwin out? We'll be seeing is next Friday and hope to see him as Laurie.

[Katecab99]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 8:41am

I was there this past Saturday matinee and he was out as well. I totally had the same reaction, and I felt like I was looking at the perfect new Boq! That's exactly how he portrayed the character. I felt really bad for the poor guy though, he had a wicked voice crack. Updated On: 2/16/05 at 08:41 AM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 9:44am

Yeah, I think I hear that David Gurwin's out quite a bit. Kate, Chris cracked once last night too, but it was a nasty one. I just kept looking at him and wanting to see a Munchkin outfit on him, and it was really frustrating.

Shira, what the hell? indeed. Sutton's wig with the braids made me really sad; it's ridiculous. I think that's the worst one, but argggh.

Updated On: 2/16/05 at 09:44 AM

[timote316]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 10:04am

Very nice review, as usual . Glad you enjoyed it.

[bwaybabe87]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 11:33am

Unfortunately the real Laurie isnt any less goofy =/

[BroadwayKate]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 11:50am

I have to admit, thought I enjoyed Little Women; I am still slightly sticky from the sap that covered my body as I sat in the Virginia theatre. Some good performances...but at the end of the night I felt so let down. There is so much good material that was left out of the adaptation. Though I have no suggestions as to how to put more juice into this lacking musical, I am sure there must be away to at least give the characters some room for character development. Sutton is amazing and Maureen was born to sing power ballads but other than that, I simply was bored and sticky. The sets however were beautiful and elegantly powerful.

Kate