Based on the author’s own life, the center of the story is Alcott’s alter ego Jo March. Courtney Evans remarkably portrays the various nuances of Jo’s tomboyish, teasing, loving, intelligent, vivacious personality as she dreams of making her life extraordinary (while making double-sure she never gets married). Alli Faucher is hilariously hammy, bratty, sometimes selfish but still lovable as Jo’s butter-loving little sister Amy, while in the second act Katelyn Bruggema and her sublime voice fill the role of the more mature Amy a few years down the road. Elizabeth Phalan delivers a strong performance as elder sister Meg who is uncomfortable as society tries to pressure her into being someone she isn’t and not marrying someone she loves, with Elizabeth earning extra kudos for keeping in character during an opening-night wardrobe malfunction. Cassie Bowerman is genuinely sweet and sensitive as the generous and kindly sister Beth – Jo’s favorite sibling. Other fine performances come from Donna Louden as the girls’ fair and wise Marmee, Charlotte Cantelon as the spoiled and obnoxious Hannah, Amanda Gamble as Jo’s cantankerous Aunt March, Tim Manns as the Professor who shares a great duet with Jo, and Jeff Mull as an editor eager for more carnage and mayhem in Jo’s early horror stories.

The musical score demonstrates an excellent mix led by the inspiring duet Imagine as Jo and her long-time friend “Laurie” (Jesse Abeel) dream of their big aspirations for life and how they plan to control their own destinies (playfully moving the other characters on stage like puppets as they exert their will over the world). The four sisters and Laurie deliver the most amusing scene of the show as they stage their play within a play as part of The Actor’s Society. The first act ends with all the main cast members combining for the big number Changes while Jo pleads for the impossible -- wanting things to stay the same. By far the most powerful moment comes as Jo laments the death of her beloved sister who sits unseen beside her.

Performs through March 6, 2005.

Rob Hopper
National Youth Theatre