Cincinnati Shakespeare’s Little Women is quite the wonderful play! Every woman in the theater (and there very few guys in the seats) had read the story at least once – and most could recite the story from beginning to end. This was the regional premiere of the play, adapted for the stage from the original Louisa May Alcott book by Emma Reeves.
I had managed to forget whether or not Jo marries Laurie, and when I asked the question of my friend, Kathleen, I got answers from all around our seats. I didn’t think they had married, but he was so wildly in love with her in the play, that I got confused. Then I did remember that he married Amy, but she was such a goody two shoes at that point in the play that I could hardly believe my own recollection. I also was amazed when Beth recovered by her fever – and then I realized that she would die later.
The Shakespeare ensemble, directed by Sara Clark, did a wonderful job. And the set was phenomenally workable and interesting. Have a big sheet hanging down at all points was weird, but it worked – and everyone hit their cues in dragging it back and forth.
So it was a great evening – and we really loved watching Jo fall in love with Professor Bhaer – who was a treat as played by Nick Rose. Everyone I spoke to wanted to be Jo – Maggie Lou Rader was pitch perfect as the adamant, strong and not giving an inch lead character. And Aunt March – the snarky villain – was played perfectly by Abby Rowold, in her first year with the company.
Overall, a great evening of theater in Cincinnati!