*** Recommended *** If you’ve read Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, you know that the March sisters, particularly Jo, spent their free time in the attic, so I loved that director Melanie Keller chose to set First Folio’s production of Heather Chrisler’s new adaptation of Little Women in the attic. On the whole I enjoyed the production, but sitting in the last row I had some difficulty hearing the cast at certain times. 3 Spotlights
This attic looks like a wonderful place to play, with cozy nooks and crannies filled with books and blankets and plenty of discarded furniture and bric-a-brac ready for inclusion in pirate raids, sword fights and other make-believe games. With their father gone to the war, and their mother trying to keep the family fed and clothed, the girls escape to the attic whenever they’re done with their chores.
The oldest, Meg (Stephanie Fongheiser), is the most mature and responsible of the March girls, but she’s had to be. Throughout their childhood, Jo (Shelby Lynn Bias) has written story after story of derring-do for their attic stage. She loves to sit at an old desk by a window in the attic writing her stories – when she’s not curled up with a book. Beth (Jamie Herb), as the family peacemaker, gets along with everyone. In my family, we’d call Amy (Esther Fishbein), an ‘itch’ because she won’t go away, won’t give up, getting what she wants by driving everyone else crazy. When Laurie (Jamie Herb in a dual role) moves in next door, he and Jo become best friends.
Meanwhile Meg knows that by marrying early, she’ll relieve her mother of some of the burden. In probably the funniest scene in the whole play, new wife Meg tries to make current jam – and show off her wifely skills. She goes through the recipe, step by step, getting more and more frustrated – and sending red scarves in all directions, totally losing it in the end.
When Laurie goes off to school, Jo continues to write her stories in the attic. When Aunt March invites Amy to accompany her on a trip to Europe, Jo is hurt and angry so she jumps at the opportunity to leave for a job. While away, she meets her future husband, Professor Baer (Stephanie Fongheiser).
While in Paris, Amy becomes an artist. Each time she completes a piece she decides is not a masterpiece she blows up and then releases a red balloon which squeals across the stage.
The problem with this play is that the playwright tried to cram way too much into a short amount of time (95 minutes, no intermission). It seemed that in one scene they were playacting in the attic, in the next Meg was getting married. When did they grow up? Jamie Herb was OK playing Laurie when he was a teen, but it just didn’t work when he was an adult.
Note: Masks are required in the building at all times
First Folio Theatre’s production of Little Women runs through January 15th at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 31st St., off Rt. 83, Oak Brook. Parking is free. Running time is 95 minutes, no intermission. Performances times are Wednesdays at 8:00 pm; Thursdays at 3:00 pm; Fridays at 8:00 pm; Saturdays at 8:00 pm; Sundays at 3:00 pm. Tickets range from $44-$59. FYI (630) 986-8067 or www.firstfolio.org.