Another 'Little Women' Loses Its Way on Stage

From left, Sara Drehmer as Jo, Penny McKee as Marmee, Michael Fisher as Professor Bhaer and Dick Costello as Mr. March in Tapestry Theatre's production of "Little Women," an adaptation of the 1868 Louisa May Alcott novel. (By Bob Morrison)

There's a chasm 'twixt the page and the stage when it comes to "Little Women," the beloved novel of young womanhood and family that has enthralled preteen and adolescent girls since 1868.

Whatever it is that makes Louisa May Alcott's stories of the March family special to generation after generation of readers doesn't seem to translate to the contemporary stage. That is all too apparent in Tapestry Theatre Company's weak production of "Little Women."

Tapestry is using Marion deForest's 1912 adaptation, which haphazardly combines two of Alcott's books, "Little Women" and a sequel, "Good Wives." Much of the dialogue is archaic and formal, a style that may have worked better onstage with the florid acting of the period. With Tapestry's generally inexperienced cast, the stilted language dilutes the story's quaint charm and warmth. DeForest was also more interested in covering lots of plot points than allowing time for character development, or allowing Alcott's deliberate, atmospheric storytelling to work at its own pace. In deForest's version, life-changing events are rapidly approached, checked-off and passed by with little sentiment.

DeForest also omitted some of the grittier, true-to-life aspects of the stories, creating for the stage a one-dimensional family of goody-goodies with no sense of conflict or dramatic arc. The death of a beloved major character neatly takes place offstage and is hardly noted. The charm is missing, and this play is boring. But then even a lively orchestra and singing couldn't help the musical version of "Little Women" that quickly died on Broadway not long ago and lingered through a tedious run at the Kennedy Center earlier this summer. Some things just don't translate well.

What life exists in this production is due primarily to the talents of several actors. Newcomer Sara Drehmer has the central role of Jo, Alcott's spirited, autobiographical character who uses her writing skills to help her family escape a life of genteel poverty. Drehmer is luminous as she takes Jo from a dreamy, idealistic teenager to a determined, independent young woman who sees the world with clear eyes. The stilted dialogue melts in her mouth as Drehmer brings warmth and vivacity to the role.

As Jo's pal and would-be suitor Teddy Laurence, Cody Crenshaw vigorously handles scenes of personal anguish in Act 2. His hammy performance may result in inappropriate laughter a few times, but it is otherwise a nice splash of sensation in a sea of blandness. In a relatively small role, Michael Fisher also adds a bit of zing with his finely etched portrayal of Professor Bhaer, the intellectual who falls in love with Jo. And Bailey Center, resplendent in muttonchops, has effectively captured the mannerisms of a gentleman of his era.

Director Zina Bleck has made several odd choices, such as having Dick Costello play family patriarch Mr. March with an excess of silent eye rolling, grimaces and inappropriate facial tics and vocal patterns. It's really quite distracting. And she seems to have dampened Elissa Hudson's work as formidable Aunt March, who usually dominates any scene she's in, but is so underplayed here that she practically blends into the scenery. Bleck has not nurtured a palpable sense of a tight ensemble with her 12 cast members. The result is that there is no impression of strong familial bonds, or even affection, among the four young women playing the March sisters.

Perhaps no one has paid more attention to detail than costume designer Susan Schulman, whose elaborate period dresses for the women, and slightly less well-detailed suits for the men, strongly evoke the era in which these "Little Women" lived.

"Little Women," performed by Tapestry Theatre Company, concludes this weekend at the Lee Center's Kaufman Auditorium, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. For tickets or information, call 703- 960-3398 or visithttp://www.TapestryTheatre.com.