Little Women Spoiler-Free Review (kinda)

4.5 stars out of 5 stars!

THREE WEEKENDS - DON'T DELAY: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1333154

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS! Hills Musical Company’s production of Little Women is one that will be remembered for a long time. Little Women tells the story of the March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, who navigate childhood, love, and family in 19^th-century America. Book by Allan Knee, Music by Jason Howland & Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein.

Co-Directors Vanessa Redmond and Tammy Shields, along with MD Dylan Rufus and Choreographer Ashleigh Rathjen have collectively envisioned and created an immensely tight production that while is a drama by nature, acknowledges the many comical moments with respect and dignity.

Being a musical that didn’t needed major choreographed music numbers, the moments that were needed, particularly in the early moments were tight, crisp and highly energetic – contrasting to the elegant dance moves when the girls are off the ball.

Similarly, Rufus’ orchestra was brilliant in all the ways imaginable. Hearing the strings warming up prior to the show got me excited for what was to come, and it did not disappoint. The music provided by Jason Howland was played with the ultimate respect any score deserves.

The four March girls, (Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy) were equally solid as a quartet as they were individually in all of their personal moments and well-developed characters. They all have their own storylines within the musical, and they all make the absolute most of what they’ve been given and provided in return, everything they can afford.

Radiating leading lady vibes is Grace Carter, who portrayed Jo, carrying her scenes with so much energy and power; it was hard to keep your jaw off the ground. Carter’s Act 1 finale, “Astonishing” was… astonishing! This song alone deserves 5 stars! But her accolades continue to flourish throughout Act 2 as she experiences the traumatic grieving process from losing a sister. “The Fire Within Me” was even greater than the previously mentioned Astonishing.

Iris Nissen emits all the Beth energy and is brilliant in her acting ability. Nissen’s duet with Mr. Laurence in both Act 1 and 2 was raw and naïve, which made the reprise even more heartbreaking. The emotional scenes following Beth’s death was heartbreaking, and that is due to the connection the audience made with Nissen’s character choices and the relationship Beth established with her sisters in Act 1.

Jasmine Howis portrayed Meg, and has a hauntingly beautiful voice, which truly shines in “More Than I Am” duetting with Mr. Brooke. Howis shows control and discipline in the way she uses her voice. Also portraying Clarissa in Jo’s story, Howis was also brilliant in this dual role, bringing the melodramatic style out in her character.

Amy, portrayed by Immi Beattie, is innocent, young , wonderful and childish throughout Act 1, which takes a stark contrast in Act 2 when she returns with Aunt March from Europe as a sophisticated lady. We get to truly witness her singing ability in “The Most Amazing Thing”, alongside Laurie. Equally, her acting talent is clearly displayed early in the piece during “Our Finest Dreams”. Additionally, it was heartwarming to see the bond that Carter, Nissen, Howis and Beattie have created throughout this production to bring what they’re bringing to the stage.

The matriarch of the March family was led beautifully by Lucy Trewin. Known affectionately as Marmee, Trewin was the mother we all want – kind and understanding, but firm and fair. Her renditions of both “Here Alone” and “Days of Plenty” makes one just want to listen to her sing all day long. Bringing the March family together as their mother was believable and heartwarming.

Maximilliam Maher (Laurie Laurence), Henry Davis (John Brooke) and Jared Frost (Professor Fritz Bhaer) were all suitable supporting characters to a story that gave women a voice in a time when it wouldn’t otherwise have happened. Maher’s characterisation was brilliant and fun to watch each time he appeared, first infatuated with Jo, and then in love with Amy. Davis’ character has some depth and worked with the developing relationship Brooke has with Meg from their first meet, to preparing for another wedding. While we get little of Frost in Act One, we get to vibe his abilities much more in Act Two, where there is a slow-burn approach between his character and Jo, even in the final scene, it isn’t now – it’s someday.

Susie O’Connell (Aunt March) brings so much power to the show and to her own character with the many choices made to individualise her “March” name. She is from the upper-class, unlike the rest of the March family we meet, and she ensures it is known. Nonetheless, O’Connell’s acting is magnificent. I must look out for her name across future productions.

Gus Smith (Mr. Laurence) has a beautiful voice that was on display in his select songs, mainly alongside Nissen. Initially coming in as a harden man who detested the March sisters, Mr. Laurence warmed to the girls and soon became an integral part of their entangled family.

While awaiting the start of the show, I overheard many conversations from surrounding audience members that it was their first time in the theatre, so it’s worthwhile noting that not all musical productions performed in SA draw the same crowd, and it’s noteworthy that alternative audiences are just looking for the right show.

Production side of the show, there were a couple of scenes the lighting plot seemed to be looking for its own moment to shine, but otherwise, there are some remarkable moments that are enhanced by the lighting. The sound mix seemed uneven at the beginning of the show but improved as the show progressed. There were a few microphones that didn’t quite get turned on in time, but due to the size of the venue, the dialogue could still be heard.

On a final note, I loved the overall detail in the set design by the Co-Directors, including the three book titles upstage centre: Pride & Prejudice, by Jane Austen, The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens, and The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan