CONNECTICUT STAGE COMPANY CONTINUES INAUGURAL SEASON WITH CHARMING, DYNAMIC PRODUCTION OF LITTLE WOMEN IN CONCERT
By Kiersten Bjork (April 27, 2024)
Little Women in Concert at Connecticut Stage Co (CSC) is an innovative musical theatre concert experience that is enjoyable from start to finish. Featuring professional talent from Broadway and beyond, as well as professionals from the surrounding community, the performances are top-notch.
Little Women, with book by Allan Knee, music by Jason Howland, and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, is based on the novel of the same name by Louisa May Alcott. It’s the story of the four March sisters, with a focus on the aspiring writer Jo March, and their lives as they experience love and loss, joy and grief. Jo yearns for something more out of life as she writes her stories. She doesn’t want what the typical girl should want in her society – she wants to write, to dream, and to live. It’s a beautiful story that will have you breaking into a grin at one moment, then bring you to tears in another, and CSC has assembled the perfect cast to tell the tale.
CSC’s production features direction by Kate Simone with music direction by Ari Goldbloom-Helzner and choreography by Chris McNiff. The direction of this concert version of the musical is incredibly clever. The way that choreography is worked in, as well as simple yet strategic blocking choices around the music stands and microphones, is really effective. Limited props and costume pieces are added and struck as needed, with just enough to set the scene and bring us into the story, without overburdening the performers who are also juggling scripts, stands and, in some cases, handheld microphones. I do wish that there had been some indication of time for the different parts of the show. This is a musical that jumps around in time in different scenes, and without the support of a typical scenic and lighting design that may have helped distinguish what took place when, it became a bit confusing to tell when we were moving to a prior experience or jumping ahead in time. The choreography is fun and works well within the confines of a stage where much of the space is consumed by chairs and music stands. The addition of choreography to a piece that could have just been actors standing at music stands really helped to elevate the overall experience and production value.
Little Women in Concert at Connecticut Stage Co (CSC) is an innovative musical theatre concert experience that is enjoyable from start to finish. Featuring professional talent from Broadway and beyond, as well as professionals from the surrounding community, the performances are top-notch.
Little Women, with book by Allan Knee, music by Jason Howland, and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, is based on the novel of the same name by Louisa May Alcott. It’s the story of the four March sisters, with a focus on the aspiring writer Jo March, and their lives as they experience love and loss, joy and grief. Jo yearns for something more out of life as she writes her stories. She doesn’t want what the typical girl should want in her society – she wants to write, to dream, and to live. It’s a beautiful story that will have you breaking into a grin at one moment, then bring you to tears in another, and CSC has assembled the perfect cast to tell the tale.
CSC’s production features direction by Kate Simone with music direction by Ari Goldbloom-Helzner and choreography by Chris McNiff. The direction of this concert version of the musical is incredibly clever. The way that choreography is worked in, as well as simple yet strategic blocking choices around the music stands and microphones, is really effective. Limited props and costume pieces are added and struck as needed, with just enough to set the scene and bring us into the story, without overburdening the performers who are also juggling scripts, stands and, in some cases, handheld microphones. I do wish that there had been some indication of time for the different parts of the show. This is a musical that jumps around in time in different scenes, and without the support of a typical scenic and lighting design that may have helped distinguish what took place when, it became a bit confusing to tell when we were moving to a prior experience or jumping ahead in time. The choreography is fun and works well within the confines of a stage where much of the space is consumed by chairs and music stands. The addition of choreography to a piece that could have just been actors standing at music stands really helped to elevate the overall experience and production value.
Kate Baldwin, Kennedy Caughell, and Cara Rose DiPietro in CSC’s Little Women in Concert
(Lorah Haskins) |
Kate Baldwin in CSC’s Little Women in Concert (CSC)
|
Kennedy Caughell is absolutely brilliant as Jo March. She is fierce and strong, with such a presence in each and every scene. She has that spark that Jo needs, an underlying energy that is constantly present as Jo seeks out her life, her career, her hopes, and her dreams in a world that continues to tell her no, and Caughell brings that spark to life with ease. She breathes such life into Jo’s shoes, and we see each and every emotion that she experiences. Caughell is very expressive, both in her face and with the physicality that she brings to the role. Her Jo feels so strongly as she moves through the world, and when you add in the power, clarity, and resonance of her voice, it’s a truly stunning performance.
Two-time Tony Award nominee, Kate Baldwin, is wonderful as the March matron, Marmee. Marmee is a stalwart and strong woman, with a nurturing, knowing sort of love interwoven in all that she does for her girls. Baldwin brings such a warmth to the role, embodying Marmee with poise and skill. Her solo work in “Here Alone,” and particularly in “Days of Plenty,” her song sung to Jo in the wake of tragedy, are gorgeous. If you weren’t teary-eyed before “Days of Plenty,” the sheer emotion – pain and sorrow, joy and love – interwoven into Baldwin’s rendition of that song will move you.
The eldest March sister, Meg, is played by Kelly Gabrielle Murphy. Murphy has a gorgeous soprano voice that blends beautifully with the other March sisters. Her Meg is graceful and composed, and her chemistry with Jack Shapiro as John Brooke is great.
Sarah Kelly plays sweet, compassionate Beth March. She is vibrant in this track, particularly in the first act of the show, allowing for Beth’s decline to hit us so much harder in the second act. Her portrayal really tugs at your heartstrings, and I think there wasn’t a dry eye in the house following Kelly’s duet with Caughell, “Some Things Are Meant to Be.”
Amy March is played by Cara Rose DiPietro. DiPietro is fantastic as Amy, really digging into the spunky, tough, little sister energy that Amy brings to the March family. Her dynamic with the other sisters is so fun to watch, particularly the sometimes tumultuous but loving relationship with Caughell’s Jo.
Two-time Tony Award nominee, Kate Baldwin, is wonderful as the March matron, Marmee. Marmee is a stalwart and strong woman, with a nurturing, knowing sort of love interwoven in all that she does for her girls. Baldwin brings such a warmth to the role, embodying Marmee with poise and skill. Her solo work in “Here Alone,” and particularly in “Days of Plenty,” her song sung to Jo in the wake of tragedy, are gorgeous. If you weren’t teary-eyed before “Days of Plenty,” the sheer emotion – pain and sorrow, joy and love – interwoven into Baldwin’s rendition of that song will move you.
The eldest March sister, Meg, is played by Kelly Gabrielle Murphy. Murphy has a gorgeous soprano voice that blends beautifully with the other March sisters. Her Meg is graceful and composed, and her chemistry with Jack Shapiro as John Brooke is great.
Sarah Kelly plays sweet, compassionate Beth March. She is vibrant in this track, particularly in the first act of the show, allowing for Beth’s decline to hit us so much harder in the second act. Her portrayal really tugs at your heartstrings, and I think there wasn’t a dry eye in the house following Kelly’s duet with Caughell, “Some Things Are Meant to Be.”
Amy March is played by Cara Rose DiPietro. DiPietro is fantastic as Amy, really digging into the spunky, tough, little sister energy that Amy brings to the March family. Her dynamic with the other sisters is so fun to watch, particularly the sometimes tumultuous but loving relationship with Caughell’s Jo.
Kelly Gabrielle Murphy, Sarah Kelly, Kennedy Caughell, and Cara Rose DiPietro in rehearsals for CSC’s Little Women in Concert (CSC)
|
Sarah Kelly, Kelly Gabrielle Murphy, Kennedy Caughell, and Cara Rose DiPietro in rehearsals for CSC’s Little Women in Concert (CSC)
|
Ethan Riordan is positively endearing as Laurie. Riordan plays up the boyish charm of the character, and the audience can’t help but fall in love with him from his very first entrance. His rendition of “Take a Chance on Me” is spot-on.
Jack Shapiro’s John Brooke is dashing and traditional. The formality we see in the beginning melts away in his interactions with Murphy’s Meg March, and they play opposite each other very well. Their duet, “More Than I Am,” is delightful.
Professor Bhaer is played by Michael F. McGuirk. McGuirk’s Bhaer is charismatic, dancing between the awkwardness of kindling love to the passion of finally accepting those feelings and pursuing them. It did seem like his accent was more present in certain moments than others, but overall, his performance, and particularly his song “How I Am,” are well done.
Donna Schilke’s Aunt March and Mrs. Kirk are so fun! Schilke balances the sass and spunk of the roles with the rigid and demanding nature of those women with impressive skill. Her scenes were enjoyable to watch, and I particularly liked her backs and forths with Caughell’s Jo.
William Squier is charming as Laurie’s grandfather, Mr. Laurence. He weaves in some funny deliveries of his lines amidst the serious nature of Mr. Laurence, and his scenes with Kelly’s Beth were some of my favorites.
Jack Shapiro’s John Brooke is dashing and traditional. The formality we see in the beginning melts away in his interactions with Murphy’s Meg March, and they play opposite each other very well. Their duet, “More Than I Am,” is delightful.
Professor Bhaer is played by Michael F. McGuirk. McGuirk’s Bhaer is charismatic, dancing between the awkwardness of kindling love to the passion of finally accepting those feelings and pursuing them. It did seem like his accent was more present in certain moments than others, but overall, his performance, and particularly his song “How I Am,” are well done.
Donna Schilke’s Aunt March and Mrs. Kirk are so fun! Schilke balances the sass and spunk of the roles with the rigid and demanding nature of those women with impressive skill. Her scenes were enjoyable to watch, and I particularly liked her backs and forths with Caughell’s Jo.
William Squier is charming as Laurie’s grandfather, Mr. Laurence. He weaves in some funny deliveries of his lines amidst the serious nature of Mr. Laurence, and his scenes with Kelly’s Beth were some of my favorites.
Cara Rose DiPietro, Kelly Gabrielle Murphy, Kate Baldwin, Kennedy Caughell, and Sarah Kelly in rehearsals for CSC’s Little Women in Concert (CSC)
|
Sarah Kelly, Kelly Gabrielle Murphy, Kennedy Caughell, and Cara Rose DiPietro in rehearsals for CSC’s Little Women in Concert (CSC)
|
The overall design of the concert production is simple, but works really well for the style of the piece. The concert is done in the performance space of the New Canaan Library, so there isn’t a full design. Chairs, music stands, and microphones stand in for scenery, and lighting design consists of lights up and down, due to the confines of the space. I liked the costume choices for each character. Each actor has an outfit inspired by the role that was well-suited to their character, the only downside being that most of the costumes were not particularly period-appropriate for the setting of the show. The props and additional costume pieces that were included added nicely to the overall experience. In terms of sound, tracks were used as opposed to live music, but it worked well in this setting. The sound balance where I was seated wasn’t the most ideal, because of my proximity to the speakers through which the tracks were playing. Since the tracks and vocals weren’t mixed through the same speakers, at times the music overpowered the voices. My seating location likely made this more apparent than if I had sat more center, though!
Little Women in Concert is a wonderful evening of storytelling from a talented company of performers. It’s a tale of sisters, of family, of life, dreams, love, and all that comes along with it, performed with care, with dynamic direction, and with powerful voices. I look forward to seeing future CSC projects, as the concert style of this production was well-conceived and truly enjoyable. If you didn’t have a chance to catch Little Women in Concert, stay tuned for more from CSC as they continue their inaugural season.
Little Women in Concert ran April 27-28, 2024, presented by Connecticut Stage Company (CSC) at the New Canaan Library in New Canaan, CT. To learn more about CSC, you can visit their website at https://www.connecticutstagecompany.org/.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.
Little Women in Concert is a wonderful evening of storytelling from a talented company of performers. It’s a tale of sisters, of family, of life, dreams, love, and all that comes along with it, performed with care, with dynamic direction, and with powerful voices. I look forward to seeing future CSC projects, as the concert style of this production was well-conceived and truly enjoyable. If you didn’t have a chance to catch Little Women in Concert, stay tuned for more from CSC as they continue their inaugural season.
Little Women in Concert ran April 27-28, 2024, presented by Connecticut Stage Company (CSC) at the New Canaan Library in New Canaan, CT. To learn more about CSC, you can visit their website at https://www.connecticutstagecompany.org/.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.