Little Women

I adored the touring production, although there are some major flaws in the book writing and adaptation part of it. It's worth it for the performers who are top notch, though. Go see it!

I wrote a review a while back:
Eppy's Review

loved it on broadway.

Thought it was just so-so on Broadway. Bad book, good performances, pedestrian lyrics. The only scene I got involved in emotionally was the beach/kite scene.

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Stephen Patterson was my favorite thing about the show.

As others have said, it's not the most thrilling or best-constructed show, but the tour cast is incredibly talented and makes it worth seeing.

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I don't think I've ever known someone who didn't know what it was about. That's not bad, but very surprising. You've never read the book? Or seen any of the movies? Or even heard of what it's about? It's probably one of the best-known novels ever written. I could probably recite it to you, which- I know- is sad. But it's my favorite and I've read it countless times since I was a child.

Anyway, a summary, which I'd write myself if I weren't so lazy:

"Little Women is the story of The Marches, a family used to hard toil and suffering. Although Father March is away with the Union armies, the sisters Meg, Jo, Amy and Beth keep in high spirits with their mother, affectionately named Marmee. Their friendly gift of a Christmas holiday breakfast to a neighbouring family is an act of generosity rewarded with wealthy Mr. Laurence's gift of a surprise Christmas feast. However, despite their efforts to be good, the girls show faults: the pretty Meg becomes discontented with the children she teaches; boyish Jo loses her temper regularly; while the golden-haired schoolgirl Amy is inclined towards affectation. However, Beth, who keeps the house is always kind and gentle. After certain happy times winning over the Laurences, dark times arrive as Marmee finds out about her husband's illness. Worse is to come as Beth contracts scarlet fever in her Samaritan efforts for a sick neighbour and becomes more or less an invalid. The novel tells of their progress into young womanhood with the additional strains of romance, Beth's terminal illness, the pressures of marriage and the outside world. This is the story of their growing maturity and wisdom and the search for the contentedness of family life. It was written in 1867 and is a fictionalised biography of Alcott and her sisters. It has become a much loved classic tale and, while some of its issues seem outdated, many of the trials of the sisters are all too relevant today as evidenced by its continued following."

I love the musical almost as much as I love the novel. Though I know most people really didn't care for it, it's still one of my favorites.

Go see it so you can say that you have seen a flop if you haven't seen one yet. I thought it was horrid. Right up there with TITANIC for me but at least the set works in LITTLE WOMEN.

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I saw it thrice (student rush of course) with the original, and only, broadway cast. I am not ashamed to say that I really enjoyed myself each time--the book is definitley LACKING...by a mile. And there are things in the score that make me cringe, but as a whole I always really enjoyed myself. I am not sure how much of it was the performers themselves and the parts of LMA's book that were included or what. But I say go for it.

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I just got home from the TOUR this evening, and I must say I was disapointed, but I knew that going in. I've never been too fond of the story and I always find myself thinking just Die already Beth I don't care about you anyway. I know its crass, but that's the way it is.

All in all there were a lot of great performances. The set was lovely, but the show was almost 3 hrs of Boredom. I wanted to bang my head on the seat in front of me to stay awake. I found myself thinking, as I almost nodded off twice, WHAT IS THE POINT OF THIS SHOW! It doesn't seem to go anywhere. Maybe I just don't understand the connection sisters have, but this production leaves the heart out.

The music was delightful, but at times a bit trite. Some songs like A MOST AMAZING THING, are cute ditties, but don't really fit the mood of the show. They are out of place. I felt like I was watching a camped version of the show.

Most of the weaknesses, however are in Mr. Knee's book. (I must say though, in all fairness, that if you've ever read any of his other plays he is fairly consistent in his style.) But honestly lines like

Meg: You're so beautiful.
Amy: And you're a mother now.

If I had said that to my sister she'd've drop kicked me through a brick wall!

The staging was weak as well. Everytime Jo talks about her stories she holds that huge book up, en profil, get over it! If I had to watch Jo charge the edge of the stage at one more crescendo of the music I was going to put electric fencing on her neck.

But God Bless Maureen McGovern. She has grace, poise, and a splendid voice. To bad it was wasted on this show. As I said before a lot of great performances and sweet moments, just not a very cohesive show.

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I'm sufering from not seeing a Broadway show! I'm def taking advantage of student tix for this one...even if it isn't the greatest thing.

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never seen it, but i will see the tour cast next august. but i do have the cast recording. i immediatly fell in love with it, and can't wait to see it on stage.

<------I love it.

Go see it. It's a wonderfully sweet show that makes you feel all happy inside. I wouldn't call it a work of art, but it's a great night at the theatre and well worth seeing.

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