Brisbane review - Little Women: The Broadway Musical: a very entertaining production

By David Wilson

Book by Allan Knee

Music by Jason Howland

Lyrics by Mind Dickstein

Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott

Directed by Tammy Sarah Linde

Musical direction by Kym Brown

Choreography by Hannah Macri

https://phoenixensemble.com.au/shows/little-women/

May 2 to May 24 2025 at the Pavilion Theatre, Beenleigh Showgrounds, James Street, Beenleigh

Tickets are available at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1295193

$40 adult, $35 concession, $30 for bookings of 10 or more

Little Women: The Broadway Musical is a 2005 musical adaptation of the much loved semi-autobiographical novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Set to a wonderful score, Little Women is an enertaining study in humanity, with social commentary as relevant today as it was when the original story was penned back in 1869.

The musical is centred around the four March sisters - the traditional Meg, the bold and rebellious story-teller Jo, the timid and loving Beth and the romantic and ambitious Amy. It is set against the backdrop of the Civil War, where their father is away serving as army Chaplain, and the sisters are cared for by their loving mother Marmee. It cleverly intertwines time periods, and wonderfully incorporates recreations of scenes from some of Jo’s melodramatic “blood and guts” stories while she is in New York attempting to become a published author.

The creative team at Phoenix Ensemble has done a great job of bringing this musical take on a wonderful classic to life. One of the things that is most noticeable about this production is how tight it was. There was a wonderful connection between the excellent orchestra and the cast, and the timing throughout was on point - a credit to the experienced hand of Tammy Sarah Linde and to the obvious commitment of the cast and creatives  involved in the development of this very entertaining production.

In a character driven musical such as this it was great to see such a strong cast assembled - the entire cast is to be congratulated!

Emma Erdis was absolutely outstanding as Jo (Josephine) March, the headstrong and confident protagonist. Erdis wonderfully balanced the character’s wildly imaginative individual rebelliousness with a strong underlying sense of familial loyalty and duty. Their stage presence was immense, with wonderful physicality a feature. In this very demanding role, Erdis’ vocals and characterisation were excellent, with wonderful tender moments shared between Jo and Beth, and Jo and Bhaer. A particular highlight was when Jo was ‘reading’ one of her stories, in effect playing the part of each of the characters, while the story was being played out in-synch by other actors across-stage. Outstanding!

Stephanie Collins was excellent as the sensible and traditional eldest March sister Meg. Collins’ vocals throughout were wonderful, and her characterisation when playing ‘Clarissa’, the heroine in one of Jo’s stories was fantastic.

Kayleigh Bancroft was wonderful as Beth, the true-north of the March family, a beautiful soul full of hope and optimism. Bancroft shone in this role, particularly in “Off To Massachusetts” with Mr Laurence, and in the moving “Some Things Aren’t Meant To Be” with Jo. Her performance was full of heart and feeling, befitting the character.

Madeline Ford was delightful as the youngest March sister, Amy. Her nuanced performance expertly combined a pouty, youthful exuberance with an almost arrogant determination. In particular, Ford’s vocal performance in “The Most Amazing Thing” was stunning.

Samantha O’Hare was excellent as Marmee - her character’s warmth and courage captured perfectly in a wonderful all-round performance reflective of the qualities of all four of the March sisters. Phillipa Bowe’s depiction of the proud matriarch of the family Aunt March was on point, neatly allowing the character’s warmth to be ever-so-barely glimpsed beneath the brusque exterior.

In many ways the male characters in Little Women play an important role in shining a light on various aspects of the four March sisters personalities, perspectives, values and ambitions. Joshua Bird, August Cocks, Mark James and Warryn James were each excellent in their own right, delivering confident, measured and meaningful performances.

The cast and creatives at Phoenix Ensemble are to be congratulated on this very enjoyable and high quality production. I thoroughly encourage you to see it.