Little Women is "...a beautifully imagined, searingly emotional, vividly alive musical..."

Musical About Alcott's Novel Gets the Chicago Touch with Ideal Cast

By Hedy Weiss
Chicago Sun-Times

"Take a peek at Marriott Theatre's altogether lustrous production of 'Little Women,' and you will discover a beautifully imagined, searingly emotional, vividly alive musical with a slew of great roles for this city's singing actresses.

The depth of the acting, the clarity of the singing and above all, the complete trust placed in the human scale of the story are crucial here. Veteran director Joe Leonardo has cast the production ideally, and he and his performers have injected the show -- the work of Allan Knee (book), Mindi Dickstein (whose lyrics are particularly lovely) and Jason Howland (music) -- with a zestful energy, humor and clarity... And in Heidi Kettenring, his superb leading lady -- who plays the role of Jo March, Alcott's protofeminist alter ego -- he has tapped genuine star power.

The story itself is the saga of how Alcott (in her alter ego of Jo) came to write Little Women. Jo is one of four very different but tightly bound sisters in a genteel and intellectual but now threadbare family whose life during the war years has become chaotic. With an absent father (he is serving as a Union Army chaplain), they are being raised by their rock-solid if overwhelmed mother (a most believable Paula Scrofano), with periodic interference from a wealthy, blue-blood aunt (Ann Whitney in a brilliantly limned portrait).

Jo -- ferociously ambitious, impulsive, independent-minded and hellbent on becoming a published writer -- is the groundbreaking sister. But the others are three-dimensional as well: Meg (a wonderfully natural Abby Mueller), the romantic eldest sister who finds happiness with the sweet-spirited John Brooke (a gently charming Jarrod Zimmerman); Beth (the altogether beguiling Dara Cameron), the physically frail but self-possessed sister closest to Jo, and the youngest, Amy, the material girl (the irresistible Morgan Weed, whose transformation from tween to woman is astonishingly good).

Adding warmth and spice throughout are Stephen Schellhardt, John Reeger, Michael Gerhart and Rebecca Finnegan.

But it is Kettenring (Nessarose in 'Wicked,' Fanny Brice in 'Funny Girl' and the wife in 'I Do! I Do') who powers the heart of this show. An actress for whom technique is just a given, she has the ability to magically bare her soul without ever seeming sentimental. Real, immediate and dynamic, she draws you in and never lets you go.

Doug Peck's impeccable musical direction, Thomas M. Ryan's sets and Nancy Missimi's costumes also help make this 'Little Women' (a companion piece for 'Shenandoah,' last season's hit musical about the Civil War) among Marriott's very best."

Little Women Grows into a Solid Musical at the Marriott Theatre

By Chris Jones
Chicago Tribune

"The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire's production of "Little Women" is considerably better than the original Broadway version... it now tells a classic story with some truth and spirit.

There are two terrific performances: Heidi Kettenring in the lead role of tomboy Jo, and Dara Cameron in the even-trickier part of selfless Beth, the angelic, wholly perfect March sister who provided the pathos popular in 1869, when Alcott's novel first appeared.

Kettenring gives an energetic, honest and vocally impeccable performance. But it was Cameron who most fascinated me -- she somehow manages to take this sliver of theatrical treacle and create a credible, throbbing being. When you add Cameron's lovely voice, you get a luminous piece of acting.

The rest of the fairly small cast is decent, too; even the guys, who were mere comic relief in the original production, have now become fleshed-out gents, courtesy of John Reeger, Michael Gerhart and, especially, Stephen Schellhardt. The emerging Morgan Weed is a spunky Amy March, and Paula Scrofano and Ann Whitney play the show's older women with their usual craft and heart.

‘Little Women’ March to Kettenring’s Drum

By Michael J. Roberts
BroadwayWorld.com Critic

"Little Women, The Musical is now remounted at the Marriott Lincolnshire’s in the round theatre and in the very capable and understanding hands of Director Joe Leonardo. As there is no other choice given the theatre’s constraints, the material is much more accessible and with some changes to the book, much more cohesive.

Marriott’s production is propelled by the fantastic Heidi Kettenring’s interpretation of Jo March. From the first scene, Kettenring commands every moment she is on stage and with a voice that both belts and soars through your soul, you would be hard pressed to find a better actor/singer on a Chicago stage. To bring this point home, one need only see the farewell scene between Jo and Beth (exquisitely played by Dara Cameron). Kettenring and Cameron’s eyes are so transfixed to each other that the truth of the scene pours its emotion into the audience.

There are other fine performances as well, including the incomparable Paula Scrofano’s Marmee who has the best number in the show with Days Of Plenty, and certainly doesn’t disappoint. Morgan Weed’s Amy March, who has the most character development in the story, is quite convincing as her character matures and learns to appreciate her big sister Jo. Stephen Schellhardt has a gorgeous tenor voice to embody Laurie.

Kudos must be given to Nancy Missimi who is the resident costume designer at the Marriott and who has done the most beautiful work with the period costumes and to Doug Peck’s very specific and detailed musical direction.

Heidi Kettenring... is, in one word; ‘astonishing’!"

Marriott's 'Little Women' Rings True

By Dorothy Andries
Pioneer Press

"The Marriott Theater in Lincolnshire is presenting the 2005 Broadway musical by Jason Howland and Mindi Dickstein as its holiday show, and the production gets everything right. We meet the pretty, petulant Amy in the person of Morgan Weed; the gentle Beth is inhabited without excessive sweetness by Dara Cameron; the lovely Meg is played by the equally lovely Abby Mueller, and there might never be a better person in all of Chicago theater for Marmee March than the exceptional Paula Scorfano.

But what of Jo -- the heart and soul of the novel, who was modeled on the author herself? Fortunately, Heidi Kettenring, has been cast in that pivotal role. Marriott audiences remember her as Babe in 'Pajama Game,' Fanny Brice in 'Funny Girl,' and Carrie in 'Carousel,' and she exceeds them all as she embodies this fabulous fictional female. From her wild presentation of her own tales of 'blood and guts' in the family attic to her deep inner conflict as she watches her sisters grow and change, her performance rings true.

In fact, all the characters are presented with authenticity. Ann Whitney is the redoubtable Aunt March, Michael Gerhart is Jo's German professor friend, John Reeger is the crusty Mr. Laurence, Jarrod Zimmerman is memorable as Meg's suitor John Brooke, and Stephen Schellhart is the young Laurie, who finally finds the right March girl to marry.

In this musical it became clear why this story has endured for six generations. Its shimmers with universal themes of family trials and strife. Marriott's production does justice to this powerful story. It is a treat for all ages, during the holidays and beyond."

'Little Women' Energizes the Stage at Marriott Theatre

By Deboran Donovan
Daily Herald

"The spirit and energy of the great American classic, 'Little Women' thrives in the musical at The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. While most of the songs advance the story pleasantly... 'Astonishing,' is the showpiece for star Heidi Kettenring. Known for her role as Nessarose in the Chicago production of 'Wicked...' Another high point is her duet with Dara Cameron's Beth on 'Some Things Are Meant To Be,' which turns out to be a very sensitive farewell to the dying sister. Like everyone in the cast, Paula Scrofano sings beautifully, but her Marmee also gently commands the stage.

While the play based on Louisa May Alcott's semi-autobiographical novel obviously offers great roles for female actresses, the men have their moments. John Reeger's Mr. Laurence gets to show off his voice along with Cameron in their duet with the ditty 'Off to Massachusetts.'

Nancy Missimi's costumes are lush, and Thomas M. Ryan's set [is] evocative."

Little Women - The Broadway Musical

By Al Bresloff
Chicago Theatre Critic

"In Lincolnshire, under the direction of Joe Leonardo and musical direction by Doug Peck, two seasoned veterans who know how to fine tune all the parts to make a better whole and with a cast of some of Chicago's finest, this is an outstanding production that the entire family can enjoy.

The story by Louisa May Alcott has been adapted into a stage play with a solid book by Allan Knee, Music by Jason Howland and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein... Each sister seeks to find their own place in the world, but the main character is Jo (Heidi Kettenring handles this role with great ease...and has a stage presence and vocal range that make her rise to the top).

The other sisters are powerful performances as well; Morgan Weed, Abby Mueller and Morgan Weed, and the mother, Marmee is deftly handled by another Chicago talent, Paula Scrofano. There are also fine performances by Stephen Schellhardt, Michael Gerhart, Jarrod Zimmerman, Ann Whitney, who does a wonderful Aunt March; and of course, John Reeger, another of our hidden treasures. The cast is rounded out by Rebecca Finnegan, Jon Cunningham, Kaitlin Fine, Michael Aaron Lindner, Megan Long and Emily Thompson - these fine performers, while small in number prove that it is quality, not quantity that matters most."