Little Women
at Delaware County Christian School

Reviewed on March 9, 2018

Anna Sherman
Cardinal O'Hara High School
Submitted for publication to Philadelphia Inquirer - 1

"I too would like to change the world." This is what the thespians of Delaware County Christian School set out to achieve in their exceptional production of "Little Women".

"Little Women" is a musical created by Allan Knee, based on the timeless 1869 novel by Louisa May Alcott. It follows the lives of the inseparable March sisters in their journey from childhood to womanhood in Civil War times. Through the course of the show, the sisters experience personal discovery, loss, and love; and discover the only thing that is forever are the memories they hold in their hearts.

Delaware County Christian School's production of "Little Women" was heartwarming and powerful, featuring raw vocal talent and captivating choreography. Although diction and projection lacked at times, the cast was able to recover and regain momentum.

The plot revolves around strong-minded tomboy Jo March (Lauren Hackett), attempting to break into the male-dominated writing industry with her daring blood-and-guts stories. Hackett embodied her character's personality with ease as she won over the audience with "The Fire Within Me." Her dynamic stage presence was a pleasure to watch. Chemistry between Hackett and love interest Cole Serfass (Professor Bhaer) was pleasingly natural in duet "Small Umbrella In The Rain"

Notably, Jordan Thompson (Marmee March) moved the audience to tears with her breathtaking vocals and raw emotion in "Here Alone" and "Days of Plenty." Thompson's maternal aura was captivating, and her deliverance of lines was impeccable. The other March sisters each shone in their own ways. Beth, Amy, and Meg March, played by Lilly Fischer, Johanna FitzGerald, and Hannah Oh respectively, exhibited a discernible sisterly connection every time they graced the stage.

Magnificent period costumes provided refined 18th century charm. Admirably, each of the four sisters had numerous dresses, which indicated the passing of time. The orchestra provided exquisite, professional-grade accompaniment. The DC Stage Crew executed flawlessly, with impressively expeditious scene changes. Unfortunately, they were oftentimes more visible than not due to their propinquity to the orchestra.

So how do you change the world? Delaware County Christian School answered this through their depiction of female empowerment; reminding the audience that nothing is more powerful than the finding of your voice, and nothing is everlasting as sisterly love.

Evan Braasch
Bordentown Regional High School
Submitted for publication to Philadelphia Inquirer - 2

Let Delaware County Christian School take you back to the American Civil War, a time when girls were busy dancing at the ball and fanning themselves in armchairs, wondering who they would marry. This was the life of every girl, in every household. (Or so it would seem.) Enter Jo, the "unique" one. A hopeful famed author of violence and seduction, she, her mother, and her three sisters must make ends meet while their father is away at war. Little Women tells a story of female strength and companionship, reminding us that any dream can become a reality if we are willing to persevere.

Leading the production, of course, was Lauren Hackett as the unstoppable Jo March. Hackett demonstrated much experience as both a singer and an actress, delivering all of her lines in a brash, yet beautiful, fashion. Her three sisters, Amy, Meg, and Beth, played by Johanna Fitzgerald, Hannah Oh, and Lilly Fischer (respectively), each had their own charming personality. Amy, the baby of the family, was subject to temper tantrums but also moments of childlike innocence. Meg, the eldest, was most interested in romance and starting a family, and finally Beth. Her piano talents and shy, yet ever-so-sweet singing voice warmed everyone's heart in her lullaby, "Off to Massachusetts".

The sisters were by no means the only stars, however. Jordan Thompson, who played Mother March, or "Marmee", showed us in her songs exactly what a showstopping performance looks like. In "Here Alone" and "Days of Plenty", her subtle, soulful dynamic shifts and vibrato were enough to bring some audience members to tears. Equally as impressive (but perhaps in a different way) was Abigail Simbri, who played the civilized model of femininity Aunt March. Her pontifical yet polished remarks offered a hilariously entertaining foil between her and the outspoken, mannerless Jo. Little Women is a very tough show to tackle vocally, and Jake Halladay and Cole Serfass, who played Laurie and Professor Bhaer, made a valiant effort when hitting the high notes.

Usually this show is performed without an ensemble, but given the fact that this specific production was by a high school, the director chose to include one. While unexpected, the ensemble greatly enhanced the visual experience by portraying characters in Jo's imagination and in her stories.

Last, but not at all least, was the tech. This crew created multiple rooms and buildings with a very close attention to detail, using glass windows, rafters, and even trees on a backdrop which could only be seen at the very top of the set. On top of this, they managed to switch between them so efficiently that they actually had extra time, as the orchestra continued to play a couple more measures before the lights went up. Finally, blue and amber light choices allowed for seamless transitions into winter and summer scenes, while a center spot highlighted particularly emotional moments.

Despite what the title of Delaware Christian's production may have suggested, there was nothing "little" about it!

Hannah Vliet
Bordentown Regional High School
Submitted for publication to GPC Website Review 3

On a cold March night, the March sisters dazzled audience members with their charisma, wit, and--more than anything--unwavering love for each other.

Delaware County Christian School's "Little Women," with music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, and book by Allan Knee, is based off Louisa May Alcott's classic 1869 novel of the same name. It follows the trials and tribulations of the March sisters--the outspoken Jo, romantic Meg, spiteful Amy, and kind-hearted Beth--as they await their father's return from the Civil War. The Original Broadway production, directed by Susan H. Schulman and starring Sutton Foster as Jo, opened at the Virginia Theatre on January 23, 2005 and closed on May 22, 2005 after only 137 performances.

Delaware County Christian School's production was anchored by the exceptional talent and energy of its leading ladies. The chemistry between the musical's female characters, from the March siblings to Marmee to even Aunt March, was palpable. Consistently strong vocals throughout the cast and impressive sets also elevated the already respectable performances.

Lauren Hackett headed the production as perhaps one of literature's most famous and feminist characters, Jo March. Hackett was able to blend Jo's iconic strength and brazen sarcasm with Jo's more complex, vulnerable side. Additionally, both Hackett's vocal energy and ability kept the audience engaged throughout her numerous solo numbers. Jake Halladay, who played Laurie Laurence, friend of the March sisters and Amy's eventual fiance, also proved as an apt sparring partner to Jo's clever, unyielding remarks. Halladay's awkward sense of humor and boyish charm were perhaps his most impressive performance aspects, and helped to solidify the script's intended contrast between his character and Jo.

Several members of the supporting cast also added to the performance. Specifically, each of the March sisters did an effective job portraying their respective characters and the differences between each. Beth, played by Lilly Fischer, stood out in particular. Fischer's sweet, fluttery voice and caring demeanor lent a deep sympathy to her character. Another audience favorite was Marmee March (the mother of the sisters), played by Jordan Thompson. Thompson's breathtaking vocals amazed all, especially in "Here Alone," which left the audience cheering.

Delaware County Christian School's "Little Women" also placed great emphasis on efficient technical aspects. Lighting and sound were both kept relatively simple and as a result were clean. Most impressive, though, was the detailed set of the March house and the transition between set changes, which were kept short and quiet. The quantity of costumes was also admirable, though the flashy nature of a few pieces did not exactly suggest the March family's implied economic struggles.

Overall, Delaware County Christian School's production did what "Little Women" as a work does best--show the beautiful bonds that sisters and women craft in order to survive, thrive even, through hardships. With a capable female-heavy cast, clean technical elements, and respectable cast energy, the production had each audience member awed and inspired by the end of the night.

Phoebe Barr
Episcopal Academy
Submitted for publication to GPC Website Review 4

In the flashy, sensationalist world of New York City, Jo March (Lauren Hackett) struggles vainly to write a story for the Weekly Volcano Press that will captivate publishers and audiences. Seeking her unique voice, she reminisces about her past in Concord, Massachusetts, with her three sisters. She recalls fights, jokes, dances, and romance, and she works through the tragedies that have nearly rent her family apart. Delaware County Christian School's Little Women displays a beautiful coming-of-age story, perfectly captured by the enthusiasm of its actors and the devotion every participant brought to the stage.

By far the strongest aspect of Delaware County's show was how invested each performer clearly was in his or her role. From the spirited camaraderie of the March sisters (Lauren Hackett, Johanna FitzGerald, Hannah Oh, Lilly Fischer), to the delightful awkwardness of Laurie (Jake Halladay), John Brooke (Ryan Schaafsma), and Professor Bhaer (Cole Serfass), to the the imperious charm of Mr. Laurence (Josiah Halstead) and Aunt March (Abigail Simbiri), every actor displayed their passion for the character, resulting not only in strong individual characterization but also in palpable chemistry between them. This enthusiasm carried the show through a few moments of unfortunate technical issues such as faulty microphone work and occasional singing difficulties. On the other hand, many actors demonstrated great technical prowess, such as Marmee (Jordan Thompson), whose singing voice dazzled the audience.

The sets (constructed by the DC Stage Crew) were visually stunning, and the lighting (designed by Josiah Bronkema and Stephen Zimmerman) consistently strong. The ensemble, called "Jo's Imagination," enhanced the show's dramatic musical numbers with their dances and occasional miming of scenes from Jo's stories. The costumes, also, were beautifully designed and strongly aided immersion in the play's setting.

However, what truly tied Delaware County Christian School's performance of Little Women together was its heart. As Jo's life unfolds, the actors captured the emotion, exasperation, and love of a family perfectly. Their show was funny, touching, and earnest. It is certainly one worth reading in the Weekly Volcano Press.