The four-woman cast of “Little Women” at Dobama Theatre in Cleveland Heights perform every role in Heather Chrisler’s adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott novel. (Steve Wagner)
As the chill of winter begins to set in, there is nothing cozier than curling up with a good book. But if you are someone who also has the itch to make plans on the weekend, you can achieve both of those things by making a trip to Dobama Theatre in Cleveland Heights and cozying up to the adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel “Little Women.”
Some of us have grown up with the March sisters: Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth.
We’ve laughed with them and cried with them. We’ve gone on adventures with family friend Laurie and waited alongside mother Marmee for Mr. March to come home from the war.
This semi-autobiographical story has become part of the fabric of classic American literature. In fact, Alcott has been credited with creating a genre of writing and with giving readers a first look at “the all-American girl” across the characterization of all four sisters.
Sometimes, when something is so familiar, so much a part of us, it is hard to accept a new “take” on such beloved material. But this stage adaptation by Heather Chrisler is a master class in storytelling — and heartstring-tugging.
The Dobama production — boasting a female-and-non-binary cast, crew and creative team, according to Dobama Artistic Director Nathan Motta — is set in the family’s attic, beautifully erected to period perfection by scenic designer Laura Tarantowski.
The cast consists of four talented women who spiritedly portray every role, bringing to the forefront the themes of family, loyalty and, especially, sisterhood.
As Jo (Theo Allyn) puts it herself, “I could never love anyone as I love my sisters.”
The attic is where hopes are born, dreams are realized and time marches on, regardless of whether Jo wants it to.
And the story of these sisters’ struggles and successes is playfully imagined using attic artifacts as props for their roleplay. A picture frame becomes a vehicle to show Amy falling through ice; balloons become her sketches, which are sometimes thrown away; and hula hoops allow Meg to have a charming hissy fit about making currant jam.
The sisters grow up before our eyes, and our hearts swell, our souls cry and our eyes smile under the careful and creative hand of director Melissa Crum.
Allyn is the ideal choice for the bold, budding writer, Jo. She is funny, tender and passionate in her portrayal, and she acts like a metronome for the piece, setting the pace and tone throughout the ebbs and flows of each character’s individual growth and relationship changes.
The other three actors each plays a male role in addition to her role as a sister.
Amaya Kiyomi throws on a top hat and aptly becomes Meg’s older suitor, John Brooke, but most of her stage time is spent as Amy. Kiyomi seamlessly and believably sheds Amy’s self-absorbed skin to reveal a more mature, confident and cultured young lady.
When Jo ventures to New York City to become a writer, Mariah Burks makes an appearance as Professor Baer, the man who encourages Jo to dig deeper as a writer (and who in the novel becomes the object of her affection). And as the sensible sister, Meg, Burks has a wonderfully calming, natural presence until she suddenly delights us with a burst of comedy, showing off her versatility.
Natalie Green effectively takes on the role of Laurie, Jo’s best pal, but also gracefully embodies the role of sweet, sensitive and tragic Beth. It feels as though Green has been plucked right out of the pages of the novel, bringing out our smiles and our tears with her emotional portrayal.
This is just a beautiful production in every way, from Chrisler’s innovative script, with her smart use of symbolism and effective messaging, to Crum’s detailed, thoughtful direction to Tarantowski’s useful and inviting set, enhanced by Josee Coyle’s warm lighting. Plus, Colleen Bloom’s costumes transport us to another era.
All of that aids the perfectly cast team of actors, who stand out as individuals but also command the stage as a sisterhood.
During a time when many of us are looking for an escape from what feels like an upside-down world, there is no better attic in which to let our imaginations carry us away, than the one belonging to the March Family in this must-see Dobama production of “Little Women.”
‘Little Women’
Continues through Dec. 31 at Dobama Theatre, 2340 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights. For tickets, $35 to $42, call 216-932-3396, visit Dobama.org or email [email protected].
