Sunday, Nov. 08, 2009

'Little Women' is big entertainment

'Little Women'

• RATING: ***
• WHERE: Sierra Repertory Theatre, 13891 Mono Way, Sonora
• WHEN: 2 p.m. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Dec. 13.
• RUNNING TIME: 2 hours and 45 minutes, including an intermission
• TICKETS: $18-$28
• INFORMATION: 532-3120 or www.sierrarep.org

SONORA — The mother in Sierra Repertory Theatre's musical production of "Little Women" has got to be the luckiest parent in the world.

When she gets home at the end of the day, her four beautiful daughters bring out her slippers, cover her with a shawl and sit at her feet giving her lots of hugs.

Based on Louisa May Alcott's popular 1868 novel of the same name, this sweet show celebrates family togetherness, forgiveness, compassion and sisterly love.

Written by Allan Knee (book), Jason Howland (music) and Mindy Dickstein (lyrics), the show ran on Broadway for four months in 2005. While most of the music is just OK, the story is strong and hits the highlights from the novel.

It's the Civil War and Marmee must raise her daughters alone in Concord, Mass., while her husband is away serving as a Union chaplain. Rebellious daughter Jo entertains her sisters Meg, Beth and Amy, with "blood and guts" stories and struggles to keep the family intact as suitors begin calling.

As usual, director- choreographer Scott Viets produces a solid staging bursting with youthful energy. The women look lovely in sausage curls and long vintage dresses provided by costume designer Tracy M. Ward.

The show opens with Randall A. Enlow's eye-catching set featuring antique wallpaper, silhouettes of the mother and girls and giant books on either side of the stage.

Sierra Rep favorite Julie Ludlum, last seen this summer as seductress Lola in "Damn Yankees," is equally compelling in the very different role of Marmee. She is strong, kind and always encouraging to her family.

Ludlum also gets to show her playful side in a pantomime role as the heroine of one of Jo's adventure stories.

Deidre Haren, who plays Jo, is a proficient singer and sounds like the heroine of any Disney animated feature. But she is less strong of an actress and sometimes seems like she is just going through the motions. In a key scene when she's supposed to be furious at a sister for burning her manuscript, she appears only mildly annoyed.

Emily Kay Shrader, a senior at Modesto's Enochs High School, shines as Beth, the most timid and loving of the March sisters. She made me and everyone around me cry when she sang "Some Things Are Meant to Be" with Haren at Thursday night's performance.

Katie Robberecht is romantic as eldest sister Meg, while Brianne Sanborn is rambunctious as youngest sister Amy. Caitlin Randall is humorously pompous as rich Aunt March.

Playing the men of the cast are Jonathan Scott Roth as the girls' high spirited neighbor Laurey, Ty Smith as his crusty but warm-hearted neighbor, Tom Kelleher as Meg's devoted husband Mr. Brooke and Chip Duford as Jo's endearingly awkward love interest.

The recorded musical accompaniment can seem tinny at times but overall works well.

If you're looking for entertainment that can be enjoyed by the whole family, "Little Women" is a great choice. It's a wholesome, uplifting story about sticking by your sisters and following your dreams.

For more on local arts, visit www.twitter.com/lisamillegan.