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| The March women are, from left, Meg (Emily Ota), Amy (Sharon Shao), Marmee (Cathleen Ridley), Jo (Elissa Beth Stebbins) and Beth (Lauren Hart). Kevin Berne photo |
Set in New England during the Civil War, it focuses on
the impoverished March family – mother and four daughters – while the father is
away at war.
The central character is the second-oldest daughter,
Jo (Elissa Beth Stebbins), who sometimes speaks as Alcott herself and who
aspires to be a writer. Early in the play she also says she has wished she were
a boy.
Meg (Emily Ota) is the oldest sister. Behind them in
age are Beth (Lauren Hart) and the youngest, Amy (Sharon Shao). Their mother is
called Marmee (Cathleen Riddley), an island of calm and good sense.
Her daughters have their share of sisterly squabbles
as well as traumas such as the scarlet fever that Beth contracts. Nevertheless,
familial love unites them.
Their neighbor, the personable Laurie (Max Tachis), is
deeply in love with Jo, who cherishes their friendship but can’t return his
love.
Completing the cast is George Psarras as John, who
courts Meg and does double duty as Bhaer, the German scholar who connects with
Jo.
Director Giovanna Sardelli has assembled an
outstanding group of actors, each one believably embodying his or her character
in an endearing fashion. The audience comes to care for each one.
The action occurs over several years and moves from
the March household to Europe. Annie Smart’s austere set aids each transition,
enhanced by Kurt Landisman’s lighting design and James Ard’s sound design.
Period costumes by Meg Neville are praiseworthy, too.
Running about two and a half hours with a 15-minute
intermission, this memorable production will continue through Oct. 12 at the
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St.
For tickets and information, including performances to
enhance accessibility, call (877) 662-8978 or visit www.theatreworks.org.
