Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Kate Hamill’s Little Women play at Seattle Rep starring Amelio Garcia, directed by Marti Lyons. Based on the original classic by Louisa May Alcott. Modern commentary on gender roles and growing up. Pleasantly surprised to find a Christmas theme in this winter show. #tomboy #ComingOfAge #LittleWomen #xmas
See it, especially if you enjoy plays about defying traditional gender roles.
Synopsis from the Theatre: Jo March isn’t concerned with what’s “ladylike.” Actually, she’s not sure she wants to be a lady at all. An aspiring writer, the headstrong Jo must negotiate with rigid societal norms to realize her dreams of independence. Against the backdrop of the Civil War, the beloved March siblings grow together and apart, discovering love, joy, and friendship as they learn the importance of family and being true to oneself. Kate Hamill’s (Pride and Prejudice, 2017) fresh and lively adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel will bring the entire family together this holiday season.
Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 11/15/23 – See my previous preview posts here.
Type: Play
World Premiere: No
Several or Few Scenes: Several
Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several
Static (Stationary) Set: Mostly no
Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You’d probably appreciate this play more if you read the original classic novel. I did not, but I constantly wondered during the performance how the book and the play differed.
Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes
Equity Actors: 9
Total Number of Actors: 9
Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed
Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours
Was there an intermission? Yes
Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes
Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Probably not but it was good
Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned in Elevator Thoughts
- Scenic Design: The dollhouse-like motif was well-chosen in light of the script’s “defy gender norms” message.
- Christmas Theme: I’m typically not a fan of Christmas shows since they typically lack depth and seem more of a way for theatres to milk audiences for extra holiday revenue. But I appreciated how the playwright/author included Christmas themes while not making the story solely about Christmas. The theatre synopsis didn’t even tout this as a holiday show! The first act was heavy on the feel-good old-timey movie-like Christmas theme. To quote the script, it was like the “sentimental lady stories” Jo was instructed to write. On the other hand, I don’t think the second act mentioned Christmas much at all and it was less sentimental (aka better than the first act).
- Favorite Quote: “Can’t you play something gayer?”
Rant(s)
- Microphones: As I mentioned in my previous review of Seattle Rep’s I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, I’m baffled that the theatre doesn’t use microphones for such a big space. You get accustomed to the low volume as the show progresses though. But, I’m curious to know how the theatre accommodates hearing impaired audience members.
Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)
- Battle Hymn of the Republic: What’s the deal with the sisters singing “Glory, glory, halleluiah!” occasionally throughout the show?
- Atrocity: A character committed a grave atrocity in the middle of the second act, but I don’t think they portrayed it to the audience (unless I missed it). I would have loved to see the drama of the scene occur, especially since it preceded a delicious argument scene.
- Friends Episode: I kept thinking about the Friends TV show episode “The One Where Monica and Richard are Friends” where Joey was too emotionally invested in the characters when he read the book, especially when somebody (who honestly lived an insignificant life in my opinion) died. I kind of wish I didn’t know the book spoilers from that episode so I’d feel more surprised.
- End of 1st Act: The first act uniquely didn’t end in a cliffhanger. It felt similar to when the first act of Into the Woods ended. I literally thought there wasn’t a second act in both shows!
Theatre Company: Seattle Rep
Venue: Bagley Wright Theater at Seattle Rep
Venue Physical Address: 155 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109
Price: Medium to Expensive
Tickets: https://www.seattlerep.org/plays/202324-season/little-women/
Ticket Affordability Options:
- Theatre’s official pages about discounts and pay-what-you-can performances
- TodayTix
Dates: November 10 to December 17, 2023
Seating: Assigned Seating
Parking: There are paid lots and paid street parking. I usually park on Mercer to the West of 1st Ave. There’s usually also plentiful street parking around Safeway. If there’s an event in Seattle Center or Climate Pledge Arena, street parking is usually limited and much more expensive.
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Other Video +/- Pictures: See pictures under video by Bronwen Houck
Cast and Production Team: See after pictures and/or video below
@showsiveseen @Kate Hamill's "Little Women" #play w/ @seattlerep & Milwaukee Repertory Theater starring Amelio Garcia, directed by Marti Lyons. Based on t@Kate Hamill's "Little Women" #play w/ @seattlerep & Milwaukee Repertory Theater starring Amelio Garcia, directed by Marti Lyons. Based on the original classic by Louisa May Alcott. Modern commentary on gender roles & growing up. Pleasantly surprised to find a Christmas theme in this winter show. Review: showsiveseen.com/7261 #tomboy #ComingOfAge #LittleWomen #xmas #theatre #showsiveseen he original classic by Louisa May Alcott. Modern commentary on gender roles & growing up. Pleasantly surprised to find a Christmas theme in this winter show. Review: showsiveseen.com/7261 #tomboy #ComingOfAge #LittleWomen #xmas #theatre #showsiveseen ♬ Reasons – STAR SEED
| Role | Name |
| Amy March | Rebecca Cort |
| Jo March | Amelio Garcia |
| Hannah/Mrs. Mingott/Messenger | Macall Gordon |
| Mr. Laurence/Robert March/Doctor | Chiké Johnson |
| Marmee March/Aunt March | Colleen Madden |
| Meg March | Cy Paolantonio |
| Beth March | Katie Peabody |
| John Brooks/Parrot/Mr. Dashwood | Richard Nguyen Sloniker |
| Laurie | Austin Winter |
| Understudy for Beth/Meg/Hannah/Mrs. Mingott/Messenger | Cheyenne Barton |
| Understudy for Laurie/Brooks/Parrot/Mr. Dashwood | Miguel Castellano |
| Understudy for Marmee March/Aunt March | Macall Gordon |
| Understudy for Mr. Laurence/Robert March/Doctor | Vincent “VJ” Orduna |
| Understudy for Jo/Amy | Leah Sainz-Jones |
| — | — |
| Playwright | Kate Hamill adapted from the novel by Louisa May Alcott |
| Director | Marti Lyons |
| Scenic Designer | Collette Pollard |
| Movement Director & Captain | Cy Paolantonio |
| Costume Designer | An-Lin Dauber |
| Lighting Designer | Reza Behjat |
| Fight Director & Intimacy Consultant | Alyssa Kay |
| Dramaturg | Paul Adolphsen |
| Sound Designer & Original Music | Jane Shaw |
| Music Director | Aaron M. Davis Norman |
| Assistant Director | Daira Rodriguez Miranda |
| Stage Manager | Jessica C. Bomball |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Shay Trusty |
| Milwaukee Rep Casting | Jonathan Hetler |
| Seattle Rep Casting | Kaytlin McIntyre & Shawna Grajek |
| Scenic Assistant | Delena Bradley |
| Spanish Show Program & Youth Guide Editor | Alejandra Campoy |
| Marketing & Engagement Contractor | Ana María Campoy |
| Spanish Script Translator | Daniel Jáquez |
| Assistant Lighting Designer | Lily McLeod |
| Spanish Content Translator | Grecia Leal Pardo |
| Production Assistant | Anahita Sepehri |
| Stage Management Apprentice | Sam Smith |
