Opinions on Little Women?

Trying to see every musical has its pitfalls.... that is, sometimes a musical comes along that you know is going to make your teeth hurt, and yet you feel you've gotta go. So I'm feeling like seeing Little Women will be a chore. My question is, am I right? Perhaps it's wonderful and not overly sentimental. Would love to hear any and all opinions from those who have been, or have heard rumblings. Thanks!

Here is a readers digest version of my review:

Sutton overacted in the first act but was brilliant in the second one.......Music is excellent especially Marmee's songs and "Somethings Are Meant to Be" (bring tissues for this song).....All the actors are great.....sets are amazing......Def. suggest you going and seeing it.

---

A condensed version of my review of out-of-toem tryouts:

Sutton is brilliant throughout the entire show. The entire supporting cast (with the exception of Amy who is a good actress but extremely annoying) is very strong. Maureen McGovern is wonderful. I enjoyed all the songs and am still singing them today (of course, I did see the show three times, so that helps me remember). There are some songs which are very, very strong (Atonishing, Somethings are Meant to Be(gorgeous gorgeous tearjerker), Days of Plenty, etc.)the other songs are also very good imho. I personally don't think the show is overly sentimental. The sets are fabulous as are the costumes. I would reccommend seeing the show just to see Sutton because she truly is amazing. I love this show and I hope I can see it in New York in the very near future.

---

I just saw the show. Now let me preface this by saying that I was in such high hopes that Little Women would be spectacular. I am very depressed about many of the shows coming to Broadway and I had very high hopes. So, my opinion may be a little scewed.

I found the story slightly hard to follow having never read the book...it is not really top on a young boys list (LOL). For the most part I found the music to be terribly bland, unexciting and not terribly an approapriate match for the story. I did, however thouroughly enjoy "Some Things are Meant to Be." Megan McGinnis (Beth) and Sutton Foster were wonderful in that scene. I definitely enjoyed Sutton Foster in this perhaps even more than Millie. I also really enjoyed seeing and hearing Ms. McGovern again. The sets, lighting and costumes were outstanding.

So, my overall rating would be about a 7 out of 10. I enjoyed it but I guess I was just hoping for more. This is early on in the previews so perhaps some changes will be made. I am hoping for a good run and reception so I will definitely go back and support it after the official opening.

I guess my next excitement for an opening comes with Light in the Piazza. I am very much looking forward to seeing Kelly O'Hara in the leading role. I just think she is beautiful and so talented. She really deserves to be in a hit this time. She hasn't had much luck with that aspect.

Updated On: 12/21/04 at 12:25 AM

I was very pleased with "Little Women." The actresses were amazing (Sutton, Megan, and Maureen topping the list), but the men pushed their performances (John Hickock was very good though...quiet and simple). The set was stellar! The side stairs reminded me of "Sweeney," but the backdrops and sliding sides were lovely, and GREAT lighting (Meg and Jo's scene at the formal stands out the most). I found the music a fine first Broadway show for those composers (I feel bad I don't have their names in front of me). In a time with jukebox shows and unfortunate Sondheim flops (why, "Bounce," why?) , it was nice hearing a fresh show. Though, Jo and Aunt March's song and Amy and her fiancee's song were underwritten and goofy. I found each acts' openings drawed the audience in nicely. Overall, an 8 outta 10.

---

Absolutely loved it. I posted a long review last Sunday.

I liked it a lot and I see a Tony award for Sutton Foster I just thought it was a bit too long

I was very disappointed in it, after having read the great reviews posted here. I agree with Matt_G about the music being bland, and I while I think people would understand what's going on without having read the book, the script made it all too implausible for me. Jo suddenly deciding to marry the professor (who was way too nebbishy for me) without all the background really weakened it. And I found Beth so minor a character that I was really surprised to read all the posts by people who found her death moving. But what bothered me most was how little it seemed like the mid-1800s. Except the actress playing Aunt March, everyone seemed like they were playing dress-up instead of being in a different time.

I did like the set very much, though at one point all the horizontal lines in the attic started to vibrate on me. Did anyone else notice that?

I agree with MattG: the music is bland and generic in itself, indistinguishable from other pop-theatre dreck on Broadway today and fails to establish period, place or characterization.

I adored this show.

I agree with all who said Sutton is brilliant. AMAZING. I posted a review as well, but here are the cliff notes- I thoroughly enjoyed the show, and have been humming the tunes ever since I saw it. I love the music, though a couple songs weren't for me. And as far as Amy goes, her character was intended to be annoying, pesky, so on. If the character didn't annoy the audience, I don't think it'd be a true portrayal. Kudos to Amy for that. It's just my oppinion anyway. The show was lovely and touching, you should see it. I have a feeling it will connect with the masses. One can only hope....

---