Painting With Her Pen

Little Women

Louisa May Alcott wrote what she knew. That was the advice her publisher offered and so the young author painted pictures with her pen and turned her family life during the 19th century into one the most beloved of all American classics. And Lauren Gunderson’s beautiful new version of Alcott’s autobiographical novel is a story we need today. Although there have been dozens of theatrical and film versions, the story continues to speak strongly to audiences, especially to 21st century Americans. It portrays a very loving, tight-knit, resilient family who are trying, against all odds, to survive. The four sisters and their mother endure poor economic conditions, illness, romantic complications and a host of trials and tribulations that many of us still face today, especially at the holidays. The play may be set in New England during the mid-1800’s, but it’s universal. It’s a story about people who truly care for each other, and it carries a message that still rings true today.

Published in 1868, Louisa May Alcott’s semi-autobiographical coming of age novel is now over 150 years old. The book still remains among the top 100 children’s stories ever written. The novel was originally published in two volumes, so Lauren has adapted Part I as Act I, and Part 2 as Act II. Combined, the full-length novel is 759 pages long so, understandably, Ms. Gunderson selects only the highlights from the main plot for her dramatization. 

Her play is entitled LOUISA MAY ALCOTT’S LITTLE WOMEN, because at the top of the show we’re introduced to the author of the novel, portrayed by talented actress Tyler Meredith, who then also plays Jo March, the play’s principal character. We also briefly meet Louisa’s real-life sisters (Anna, Elizabeth and May), played by Janyce Caraballo, Demetra Dee and Yourtana Sulaiman, who primarily portray Jo’s fictional sisters, Meg, Beth and Amy. 

Lauren Gunderson’s script is unique. Her play unfolds in Storytelling style. In this manner of presentation, the actors don’t merely speak the words and thoughts of their characters. They also verbalize much of Alcott’s commentary and description from the novel. In this way we learn more about the situations and the feelings of each character. Narration Drama was made popular by Chicago playwright, Paul Sills, in his STORY THEATRE. This type of playwriting allows the writer to give us insight into the book’s author, while continually reminding us that we’re watching a novel come to life.  

The play, creatively Directed by Georgette Verdin, focuses on the close relationship between the four March sisters and their stalwart, loving mother, Marmee. She’s beautifully and eloquently played by lovely Lucy Carapetyan. The actress will be remembered at Northlight for her tension-filled protagonist in DIAL M FOR MURDER, as well as for her stunningly powerful performance Darja in Raven Theater’s IRONBOUND. Lucy also plays crusty and judgmental Aunt March, by way of a very creative means of portrayal. 

Throughout this episodic story we meet Laurie, the handsome, wealthy boy next door. He’s beautifully brought to life by John Drea (recently enjoyed in Steppenwolf’s LITTLE BEAR RIDGE ROAD). His performance is filled with so much life and spontaneity, John makes Laurie seem like a peppy little puppy who’s found a new home. Mr. Drea, together with the gifted and accomplished Tyler Meredith (seen at the Goodman in both INHERIT THE WIND and THE PENELOPIAD), are ideally cast opposite each other, as Laurie and Jo. Their chemistry is honest, powerful and persuasive, and filled with so much love. Even though readers know how their relationship will eventually play out, theatergoers will empathize with how both Jo and Laurie try to deal with the inevitable. 

The other male actor in this female-centric cast is the always incredible Erik Hellman. Erik has been seen in such diverse roles as Thomas Jefferson, in Marriott’s recent 1776, and as Guildenstern, in the Court Theatre’s ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD. He divides his stage time playing both John Brooke, Laurie’s tutor, and Friedrich Bhaer, a middle-age German professor who’s immigrated to New York City, where he becomes fond friends with Jo. Erik also has a cameo appearance as Mr. March. The multitalented Mr. Hellman is truly an actor’s actor and his great skill can be seen in his two likable, sometimes humorous and multilayered characters.

The cast playing the family is terrific. As portrayed by Tyler Meredith, Jo March is a tough tomboy. She’s strong-willed, smart and possessed of a fiery temper that often gets her into trouble. Jo loves all her sisters and that chemistry is solid in Georgette Verdin’s production. Meg is her older sister. Played with confidence and strength by beautiful Janyce Caraballo (seen in Northlight’s GEORGIANA AND KITTY: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY), Meg is the sister who takes charge and manages the house when Marmee isn’t present. She’s played with loving care and a sweet maturity. Her courtship by John Brooke is amusing and innocent, and their ultimate marriage by the end of Act I is applauded by the audience. 

Beth is the sweet, shy middle sister, played with just the right amount of sentimentality by the talented actress, Demetra Dee. This actress has a real talent for playing charming and believable younger characters, as seen in Chicago Shakespeare’s lovely production of CORDUROY, as well as in the Goodman’s wonderful THE NACIREMA SOCIETY. Ms. Dee makes Jo’s beloved Beth lovable, gentle and sensitive. Her character loves music and is so heartwarming when she receives the gift of a piano from Laurie’s Grandfather. When Beth becomes ill and eventually passes, her loss is felt both by her onstage family and the audience, alike.

Seen in Northlight’s superb SELLING KABUL, and in About Face Theater’s MOSQUE4MOSQUE, Yourtana Sulaiman is a versatile and talented young actress, who understands the subtleties of playing comedy. She portrays Amy, the youngest sister, and the March sibling who’s often coddled and given special consideration and privileges. As played by Ms. Sulaiman, Amy is beautiful, but also a little vain and self-centered. The character’s always concerned about her looks and being seen as a proper young lady. In Act II, Amy’s interest in art leads her to become Aunt March’s travel companion in Europe. There she studies painting and enjoys the privileges of high society, where she’s courted by several men, and eventually marries an unexpected suitor. 

Georgette Verdin’s gorgeous production is staged on a sparse, fragmented Set Design by Sotirios Livaditis. The few furnishings in the Scenic Design are multi-purposed and used most creatively. Notice the beautiful, colorful flowers painted on the wooden floor of the set, that are mirrored in the tasteful embroidery of Raquel Adorno’s lovely period Costumes. Amy’s Act II gown is especially elegant and Jo’s masculine wardrobe is perfectly suited for a girl who wishes she’d been born a boy. Emma Deane’s Lighting provides a wash of color, but I was confused by the many jars hanging upstage, almost like Christmas lights, and wondered if they were suppose to have been illuminated at some point? And the snow that falls in one location nicely denoted Christmas.

Prolific playwright Lauren Gunderson (THE BOOK OF WILL, I AND YOU) has created a new play, based upon a classic American novel. Chicago audiences will be among the first in the nation to enjoy LOUISA MAY ALCOTT’S LITTLE WOMEN, in a sweetly charming production Directed by Georgette Verdin. This production not only brings the popular children’s book to life, it offers insight into Ms. Alcott’s writing process. The play also happens to be a nice alternative to other holiday productions around town. Grumbling how “dreadful it is to be poor,” Jo’s familiar lament, “Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents” might ring true for some audience members during these austere times. But it also illustrates from the start how author Louisa May Alcott beautifully and clearly was able to create word pictures, painting with her pen.      

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented November 29-January 5 by by Northlight Theatre, located in the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the theatre box office, by calling 847-673-6300, or by going to www.northlight.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.