NEWS

 

The delightful cast of teenage thespians from Mooresville Community Children’s Theatre (MCCT) delivered an exciting production of Louisa Mae Alcott’s immortal story, Little Women, last weekend at the Charles Mack Citizen Center.

I love the version of Alcott’s timeless tale adapted by Thomas Hischak that MCCT selected to produce. The feisty sister, Jo March, an aspiring writer, introduces and narrates the story in which she also performs the grown-up version of Jo. The role is superbly portrayed by Emily Deaver, a newcomer to the Mooresville stage. Young Jo was performed by the vivacious Riya Korrapati, also a first-timer with MCCT.

Most of the actors in Little Women are seniors who have been performing over the past few years with MCCT and with other theatre groups around Lake Norman, including Davidson Community Players’ Connie Company. The youths will be missed as they move on to college studies elsewhere.

We needn’t worry about Nicholas Underwood. He’ll still be around. His stage presence is ambitious. After dancing with the Ensemble in the Connie Company’s Frozen Jr. at the Cain Center a couple of weeks ago, Nicholas scurried up to Mooresvsille to play Young Laurie and Sam in Little Women. A seasoned Dylan Underwood played the grown-up Laurie.

Little Women is a story about the March sisters growing up around the mid-1800s in Springfield, Massachusetts. Meg, the level-headed eldest sibling, was performed by Tessa Fuller—the Young Meg version by Kelcee Smith. The timid musical sister, Beth, was played by Katie McClellan; Young Beth by Kaia Goodpasture. Self-absorbed Amy, the youngest March sister, was performed by Mattieann Suddreth with Lexi Blum as Young Amy.

Creatively staged, Little Women was directed by Caroline Green on a lovely set designed by Annie Agresta. While the two-act drama is set in the principal room of the March home, occasional scenes also incorporated use of an elevated rear-stage, narrow platform where the Young-version sisters would gather to support Jo’s narration from the foot of the stage. Clever, and quite creative.

So were transitions of the younger cast to the grown-up actors, particularly during the dance scene at Laurie’s home, choreographed by Jenna Tyrell. Costumes, including fluffy bloomers designed by Wendi Choinere, were gorgeous. Bravo, Caroline Green, and crew! Your version of Little Women is superb.

Another clever detail was transition of the storyline to its actual voice. When Marmee, played by Ella Grace Wolfe reads a letter to her daughters from their father, Mr. March, portrayed by Hudson Blum, he takes over stage-front, to deliver the words. The same occurs with a note to Beth from Mr. Laurence, played by Jacob Newman. Quite effective!

Emma DeVore as Hannah, the maid, was continually onstage acting mostly in pantomime, serving tea, dusting, and cleaning the March home during both time settings of the story.

The powerful role of Aunt March was effectively delivered by Hannah King. John Brooke, Laurie’s tutor who successfully woos Meg despite Aunt March’s objections, was portrayed by Nathaniel Zabinski. Jet Teasley played Professor Bhaer.

Tess Chason played the roles of Mrs. Thomlinson and Mrs. Gardiner; Alex Oddy portrayed Mrs. Moffet, and Emma Wood played Mrs. Kirk.

Other members of the cast included Cadence Blum portraying both Clara and Annie; Aryana Berisha as Jenny; Addy DeGolier as Mary; Emberlyn Gilley as Kitty; Madison Pinto as Minnie; Reese Eige as Belle; and Alex Oddy as Sallie. Gus Miller played Clark and the delightful squawking Parrot. And toward the end of the second act, Hudson Blum also played Jo’s would-be editor Mr. Dashwood.

I thoroughly enjoyed MCCTs interpretation of Hischak’s adaptation of the time-honored classic tale of Little Women. I’ll bet Louisa Mae Alcott would agree.