Little Women
at AP Schalick High School

Reviewed on March 3, 2018

Emma Bonner
The Agnes Irwin School
Submitted for publication to Philadelphia Inquirer - 1

Bringing a Civil War period classic into 2018 and putting it on a high school stage would be a task that would seem daunting to many, but not AP Schalick High School. Little Women is a musical with book by Allan Knee, music by Jason Howland and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, adapted from Louisa May Alcott's 1869 novel.

The story is told through the eyes of the spunky and independent Jo March, played by Devon Duffy. Jo March's character would be a difficult one for some, as she has a hefty singing role and has some of the most difficult acting moments of the story, but Devon Duffy rose to the occasion. Duffy brought her own take on the character, while also fully becoming the rebellious female lead from the novel. Perfectly matching Jo's energy and talent were the rest of the March sisters: Amy (Alexa St.Clair), Beth (Carina Cafiso) and Meg (Alexis Short). St.Clair proved her acting chops portraying the annoying youngest sister, while also being one of the most lovable on stage through her facial expressions, comedic timing, and her beautiful voice. During Amy's stand out song, "The Most Amazing Thing", we see Amy change from an immature little sister to a more sophisticated (but still fun-loving!) Amy. Cafiso and Short also proved their acting and singing prowess in emotional scenes and melodic songs that made the audience feel as if they were in 1869 Massachusetts.

One of the true standouts of the production was Melody Wozunk, playing Marmee, the mother of the March girls. Marmee's ballads were a welcome contrast to the fun and uplifting songs throughout the rest of the show. From the moment she stepped on stage to the moment she made her final exit, it was difficult to remember that she was not a mother of four spunky girls, but a high school senior. Another remarkable actor was Nick Vastano, playing Professor Bhaer. Bhaer is a seemingly stuffy and uptight professor who goes through a major change, portrayed excellently by Vastano.

The show would not have been what it was without the fantastic set, wigs and costumes, and especially the lighting. The lighting perfectly set the mood for each and every scene, making sure every performer was shown in the way intended. There were quite a few microphone issues, as is expected in a show with many mics. Surprisingly, these issues did not deter from the performance or the story at all, as the actors persevered and made sure their story was told no matter what.

It is hard to pinpoint a specific scene or song that was more spectacular than the rest because, while the show does not have the usual big dance numbers or flashy costumes, it has something else. It was relatable, fun and the audience certainly did not want it to end. Christopher Columbus, what a great show, AP Schalick!

Vanessa Macias
Lindenwold High School
Submitted for publication to Philadelphia Inquirer - 2

Who said a girl couldn't do as she pleases? Not Jo March, that's for sure! You'd be a sucker to miss out on AP Schalick High School's production of Little Women. This emotional roller-coaster is one you'd be lucky to catch a ride on!

Jo March (Devon Duffy) is not your average girl. She prefers writing stories and wearing combat boots over being a "proper young lady" who wears very feminine gowns. As an aspiring writer in the mid-1800's, Jo's gory stories are repeatedly rejected, but this only motivates her even more to write something that would someday be published. The love Jo has for her sisters and her mother cannot be described, as it is too grand to put into words. As the story progresses, we witness Jo being tested in unimaginable ways, all leading up to the prodigious and strong woman she becomes.

The production was absolutely remarkable. The energy of the cast could lift even the saddest of spirits! The playfulness of the characters created an environment that was truly full of joy. Overall, the show was a mixture of all kinds of emotions, a true roller-coaster. Clearly, the audience fell in love, as the cast received a loving standing ovation after their final scene.

Devon Duffy did a magnificent job as the lead actress. Her portrayal of Jo was spot on and she could have easily inspired the women in the theater to believe in themselves despite society's standards. Devon has an amazing and extremely powerful voice that moved the crowd multiple times throughout the show. There is no doubt that Devon was a perfect fit for the role! Chris Cordery, the actor behind the dorky Laurie, also did a great job delivering his lines with true emotion and brought many smiles to the audience.

Melody Wozunk, who played Marmee, was sincerely a true asset to the production. Melody's strong and outstanding voice stunned the audience, receiving a very loud applause after every performance. The March sisters, as a whole, were all amazing. They truly did show what it means to be sisters, arguing over everything yet still loving each other no matter what. Their sisterly bond was evident and honestly very moving.

A great feature of the production was the hair and makeup. If one of the characters was ill, the team did a perfect job making them look the part. Also, the costumes were impressive and set the time frame perfectly as well as the set. Although there were some problems with the mics, the cast pushed through this and projected their voices perfectly.

Little Women is in truth a very inspiring story and makes for the perfect musical. The determination of one young woman is one that could move us all and is simply too good to miss!

Erin Nevin
Lindenwold High School
Submitted for publication to GPC Website Review 3

They say that family is the strongest bond you can have with another person and this statement shines through when considering Arthur P. Schalick High School's performance of "Little Women" on March 3rd, 2018.

Set during the Civil War in Massachusetts, the tale of "Little Women" revolves around four sisters after having let their father go to aid in the war efforts. Led by the outspoken Jo March, an aspiring author, four sisters go through trial and tribulation side-by-side with a few obstacles splattered with bad blood between family along the way. With heartbreak, tragedy, and rejection that cuts deep, Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy, alongside their mother known as Marmee, struggle with the times of the war.

AP Schalick's rendition of this classic novel turned Broadway musical written by Allan Knee left the audience both in tears and on their feet in deafening applause. Though there were some instances of fatigue in the actors and there were a few technical difficulties throughout the show, it didn't truly seem to matter as those aspects were outshone by the superb acting, the melodious singing, and the overall truthfulness to the original story.

Devon Duffy's performance as the stubborn leading lady, Jo, was a memorable one, to say the least. Stepping up to the task of giving such a complex character a fresh breath of life, Duffy pulled through from start to finish. In addition to her wonderful portrayal, the audience could feel the chemistry between her and her three sisters, portrayed by Alexis Short, Carina Cafiso, and Alexa St.Clair, as well as their mother, played by Melody Wozunk. This aspect was most likely what made the piece so moving; the love radiating from them was so genuine that one could be left to the assumption that they might actually be related.

The typical flashy Broadway-stereotype for musical theatre had been completely thrown out the window. With a few select upbeat numbers, the majority of the songs were heartfelt pieces made to move the audience. Such pieces are difficult to do correctly, though the cast worked to accomplish just that. For the most part, the actors were able to pull through, but against the sound of the live orchestra and the unfortunate microphone issues that ran through the first act, it was a bit difficult to hear which made it somewhat distracting to fully enjoy. However, by the second act, most of the technical problems were resolved and left the audience in for a touching display of pure, raw emotion.

Each bit of the show, from the props to the 19th-century costumes, from the wigs to the set, had ultimately added to the aesthetic of a northern Civil War-era home. From these subtle details, the audience was able to be fully immersed in the events before them without thought of the modern world outside the auditorium walls.

Overall, the cast of "Little Women" at AP Schalick High School gave a wonderful rendition of a classic that left the audience with something to speak about- something truly astonishing.

Lia Della Porta
The Agnes Irwin School
Submitted for publication to GPC Website Review 4

A beautiful, heartfelt tale of four sisters and their mother and the strong bond between them that will never break. Their encounters with love, sorrow, and success make up the renowned story that many around the world have grown to love. AP Schalick High School brought back the nostalgia of this elegant story with their extremely enjoyable production of Little Women.

Little Women first premiered in 2001 at Duke University, based on the famous 1869 Louisa May Alcott novel of the same name. The book for the musical was written by Allan Knee, whereas the music and lyrics were written by Jason Howland and Mindi Dickstein. Sutton Foster originated the leading role of Jo March on Broadway in 2005, earning her a Tony Award nomination for her portrayal.

AP Schalick High School's performance was thrilling. The individuality of each of the characters was so prominent, which is a real testament to the actors onstage. Devon Duffy, who portrayed Jo March, was clearly fit for leading the show and brought the strong headed, ambitious character to life. She never disappointed the audience with her incredible vocals, clever choices, and outstanding comedic timing. Another notable performance was by Melody Wozunk, who portrayed the role of Marmee. Her commitment to the truly complex role shined through and the wise yet innocent disposition she exuded captured the character perfectly.

One truly memorable song was "Some Things Were Meant to Be", sung by Jo and Beth (played by Carina Cafiso) in Act II. The two actresses displayed such raw emotion and their chemistry played a huge part in the innocence and pure love of the scene. Another breathtaking number was "Astonishing" performed by Jo at the end of Act I. Duffy brought the classic ‘I Want' song to a whole new level with her brilliant vocals and pure ambition.

The design of this production was exceptional, having few set changes but powerful lighting and set. The publicity promotion videos, edited wonderfully by Alexa St.Clair, added a nice touch to the marketing aspect of the production. The microphones faltered throughout, but their malfunctions did not at all take away from the actors' performances. The lighting, done by Desire Suarez, was creative and matched perfectly to the pivotal moments in the show.

There's no show as heart-wrenching, romantic, and comedic as Little Women. The actors and actresses brought the renowned characters to life in a truly fulfilling way, as the audience was left with both tears and joy. AP Schalick High School did "astonishing" work, and it clearly paid off in their extraordinary performance.