Little Women
at Tuscarora High School

Reviewed on May 21, 2021

Julia Tucker
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

After months apart, the March sisters are brought together again under unfortunate circumstances: their youngest sister, Beth, is slowly succumbing to scarlet fever. As Jo rushes home from New York City to be with Beth, she grasps on to the fleeting threads of her golden childhood as they slip from her fingers, like a kite floating away into the sky. Tuscarora High School's heartfelt finale production of Little Women told a story of hope and perseverance that transcends time.

Louisa May Alcott published her classic coming-of-age story, Little Women, in multiple volumes, from 1868 to 1869. The semi-autobiographical novel tells the story of four sisters--Meg, Jo, Amy, and Beth as they grow up in Concord, Massachusetts during the Civil War. In 2005, the musical adaptation of the book premiered on Broadway.

Tuscarora performed their production onstage, which, in 2021, came with its own set of difficulties and challenges. The actors all wore clear face shields that allowed them to show facial expressions and sing without being inhibited by a cloth mask. Furthermore, the creative blocking enabled the cast to cleverly circumvent definite COVID no-nos, like an onstage kiss; the actors instead held an umbrella in front of their faces, letting innuendo drive the scene.

Ella Nassauer starred in the leading role of Jo March. Nassauer depicted all of Jo's complicated relationships, like her overwhelming love for Beth (Ellie Mazer), her awkwardness with childhood friend Laurie (Riley Steinkirchner), and her newfound love for Professor Bhaer (Ryan Gill). Her powerful voice reinforced her acting: in her duet with Mazer, the women's precise vocal blend enhanced the scene's intimacy and further developed the sisterly dynamic between the girls.

Dillan Vanzego brought a warm and comforting presence to the show as Marmee, the girls' mother. Her soothing mannerisms distinguished her as a mature figure amongst the younger characters. April Anthony's portrayal of Aunt March contributed much-needed humor: Anthony's adept comedic timing elevated Aunt March's snappy comedy, especially in her huffy remarks to Jo. Brigid Pellicano portrayed Amy, Aunt March's favorite March girl. Pellicano contributed a buoyant presence to the show as the love-struck younger sister; her vibrant energy enriched her fun scene with Riley Steinkirchner (Laurie) with liveliness.

The versatile set crafted by Ryan De Angioletti transformed every scene to create each new location. It even featured a fireplace with dancing flames in its hearth! The set provided a lovely backdrop for all the other technical details to shine, like the period costumes and props. Claudia Hunn and Bailey Vigil's work in costuming assured that each character had a distinctive color scheme in their casual and formal dresses. The wigs styled by Emily Giessmann were the cherry on top of the beautiful costumes: the detailed wigs were fashioned so well they looked real. The props team (Peyton Voorheis and Gwenalyn Abrams) located an antique wheelchair for Beth to use and provided props to support social distancing. Finally, through their work with the actors, choral masters Ryan Gill and Patrick Hensley ensured that each actor's voice blended perfectly with one another--a mark of any solid musical.

After more than a year of being separated from loved ones, Tuscarora High School's sentimental production of Little Women reminded us all of the blessings of hope, love, and family.

Kaitlin Molloy
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

When caught between ambition and familial connection, which do you choose? Can you truly be great without those you love most? In an empowering display of feminine force, Tuscarora High School's production of Little Women revealed that in finding one's true destiny, the enduring bond of sisterhood is always present.

The musical adaptation of Little Women (by Allan Knee, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein) is based on Louisa May Alcott's semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, originally published in 1869. In a departure from the original text, the musical focuses on the most salient features of the plot, omitting much of male character importance to emphasize the sisters' bond and individual developments.

Set in Concord, Massachusetts in the mid-1860s, the coming-of-age story centers on the perspectives of the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, in their own tumultuous year. At the center of the narrative, or rather behind the pen, is Jo, a zealous writer with a flair for the melodramatic, unyielding to traditional values. However, with mounting domestic complications, the sisters find themselves confronted with loss and heartache, beyond even their own changed purviews.

Jo March (Ella Nassauer), fiery and emboldened, has her own illusions of grandeur, persisting through rejection and pitfalls. Nassauer displayed an incredible range, adding her own passions rather than relying on archetypes alone. Her scintillating vibrato gripped audiences bittersweetly during her final moments with Beth, and her powerhouse vocal breadth and agility complimented her anguished guilt in the wake of losing her dearest sister. Providing a calmer foil, Professor Bhaer (Ryan Gill) rounded out the perfect opposites-attract trope. Gill's oscillation between subterranean sustained notes and vaulting head voice was to be lauded, as he masterfully captured shifts in his feelings towards Jo.

Completing the quartet of sisters, Meg (Ryan Cylde), Beth (Ellie Mazer), and Amy (Brigid Pellicano) dynamically portrayed the siblings' affections and frustrations with rapport and authenticity. Mazer and Nassauer's heartwarming bond was evident in every interaction, speaking of each other with fondness even in the other's absence. Pellicano's burgeoning grandiosity upon her return from Europe highlighted all the flair of the extravagant youngest sister. Providing an adult contrast to the sisters' vitality, Dillan Vanzego's Marmee sagely imparted life advice in the wake of the family's tragedy with a soulful belting array. April Anthony's snappy repertoire as Aunt March lightened the story, with her off-handed comments always ending with self-aggrandizing remarks at the expense of her loved ones.

Adding to the comforting air, the technical elements immersed the audience in Civil War Era Northeast. A minimalistic, yet homey set design (Ryan De Angioletti) was utilized beautifully and showed contrasts between the bright living room and dusty attic where Jo's writing came to fruition. As the central backdrop for the March family's calamity, a fireplace with moving flame and brightly accented furniture welcomed the audience as a part of the family. A brilliant use of staging combatted the physical restrictions of COVID by using a parasol to cover a kissing scene in an undistracting, adorable manner. Effort, time, and research were shown as the cast donned puffed sleeves and taffetas in true mid-19th century fashion (Claudia Hunn & Bailey Vigil). Flawlessly incorporated props emphasized the time period, most notably a beautiful, vintage wheelchair, dress form, and kite (Peyton Voorheis and Gwenalyn Abrams).

Whether it be heartbreak or achieving your dreams, Tuscarora's captivating performance of Little Women gave us this simple, yet ever-important message: with love, strength, and determination, anything can be conquered with our family at our side.

Isabella Russo
H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Although they may be little, do not mistake these women for anything but mighty in heart and mind. Little Women at Tuscarora High School proved the power of sisterhood through a story of romance, sorrow, and love.

Set in early 1860s Massachusetts, Little Women follows the four March sisters-- Jo, the defiant writer; Meg, the responsible eldest sister; Amy, the eager dreamer; and Beth, the kind-hearted pianist. Spanning over several years, we see Jo's constant battle with becoming a renowned writer, as well as her struggle with romance. As these sisters experience love and loss together, one thing remains constant-- their devotion to each other.

Louisa May Alcott's famous novel Little Women serves as the source material for the early 2000s musical. Scholars consider Alcott's novel to be semi-autobiographical, and the novel was met with so much success that Alcott wrote two sequels, Little Men and Jo's Boys. Workshopped at Duke University in 2001, the musical Little Women eventually opened on Broadway in 2005 for a total of 55 previews and 137 performances. Starring Sutton Foster as Jo March and Maureen McGovern as Marmee, the Broadway cast was met with rave reviews and three award nominations for Foster.

As Jo March, Ella Nassauer shined with a focused characterization and a clear, supported singing voice, particularly in her songs with Beth (Ellie Mazer). In "Some Things are Meant to Be", Mazer and Nassauer highlighted the close sisterly relationship that is essential to this story, showing the transition from a sweet song to a sorrowful goodbye. Mazer's light and pure singing tone paired perfectly with Nassauer's more intense, grounded sound, further revealing the differences in age and personality between the characters.

Dillan Vanzego was composed and comforting as Marmee, providing a calm presence for her daughters while allowing her own vulnerability to shine through. Both vocally and physically, Vanzego captured the age and essence of her character, with a rich tone that allowed her to float on her highest notes and a more grounded stature.

Emily Giessmann curated a set of wigs that perfectly represented each character and looked natural even during close-up shots. The flowy blonde waves complemented Beth's more innocent personality, and Jo's fiery brunette curls made her stand out as the bold character that she is. For costumes, Claudia Hunn and Bailey Vigil found period-appropriate dresses and suits that immediately made both the time period and personalities of the characters clear.

With dynamic vocal choices, stunning wigs and costumes, and heartfelt performances, Little Women at Tuscarora High School proved that sisterly love can help you weather any storm.

Chloe Loufield
Riverside High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Now

Four sisters are an undeniable presence, with distinct personalities and constant clamor; it can't get any better than that! From childhood to womanhood, the importance of familial love rises above all with Tuscarora High School's musical production of "Little Women."

Based on Louisa May Alcott's 1869 novel, "Little Women" which was adapted for the stage and later opened on Broadway for a four-month run, starring Sutton Foster. With a book by Allan Knee, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, and music by Jason Howland, the musical is told through the eyes of Jo March, an aspiring writer who has no interest in following society's expectations of being a proper lady. Other than Jo, the four March sisters include Meg, Amy, and Beth, who live in Concord, Massachusetts. After their father goes off to fight in the Civil War and falls ill, their mother, Marmee, goes to attend to him. The sisters are then left to face the tribulations of being women in 19th-century society while uplifting and supporting one another.

The March sisters had a distinct sisterly bond, which was evident and captivating. Embodying the spunky and independent Jo March was Ella Nassauer. Nassauer bettered the show as a whole with an amazing and compelling voice, enthusiastic energy, and unwavering commitment to her role. Perfectly matching Jo's energy and talent was Beth, the quiet and musically adept sister who became visibly weaker from scarlet fever. Beth was portrayed by Ellie Mazer, who delivered a genuine performance and showcased elegant vocals along with palpable chemistry. The other March sister, Meg (Ryan Clyde), was longing for a greater life of luxury while remaining a role model as the eldest sister. Meanwhile, Amy (Brigid Pellicano) was self-centered yet still kind and romantic. Each of the four sisters exhibited distinct traits, indicating their values in life and their well-rounded family dynamic.

One of the true standouts of the production was Marmee, the mother of the March sisters, embodied by Dillan Vanzego. Vanzego's strong and outstanding voice was simply stunning while also giving a motherly contrast to her daughters. Amongst her powerhouse vocals and stylistic acting choices, her passion for performing was evident. Vanzego had a strong emotional connection to her character and radiated with charisma as she truly lit up the stage.

The cast and crew took advantage of the challenge to perform during a pandemic by filming the show live in their auditorium. During the performance, the cast members were socially distanced with clear face coverings, which brought a sense of nostalgia for live theatre. Though minimalistic, the set, designed by Ryan De Angioletti, provided a homey feel to the production. The wig styling by Emily Giessmann consisted of luscious curls and shine, which served to set the period well. The costume team, designed by Claudia Hunn and Bailey Vigil, incorporated modernized and time period-appropriate pieces, creating a contrast between the show's classic and contemporary feel. The beautiful gowns for the women remained in a similar color range and were each well suited to accentuate their characters. Additionally, Emma Passman and Jordan Ayoub's lighting perfectly set the mood for every scene, using a consistent color palette to make sure every performer was shown in the way intended. Creating live theatre in a pandemic is an impressive feat, and the production's blend of technical elements only enhanced the performance.

With the help of familial love in what it means to rise against societal expectations as a woman, Tuscarora High School's production of "Little Women" is truly an inspiring musical that reveals how family bonds come above all.

Miranda Simpson
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Times-Mirror

"It's a beauty, sir," and Tuscarora's production of Little Women truly was a beauty! Filled to the brim with heartfelt songs, witty relief, and wonderful sentiments about family, this performance brought the classic tale of Little Women to life. The musical opened in 2005 with a book by Allan Knee, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, and music by Jason Howland. Based on the book by Louisa May Alcott, Little Women The Musical starred Sutton Foster as Jo and Maureen McGovern as Marmee. The musical focused on the March sisters: Meg, compassionate and the eldest, Jo, independent and brave, Beth, sweet and angelic, and Amy, artistic and proper. In this section, Jo returned home from New York after discovering Beth has contracted scarlet fever. Jo attempted to control her emotions as she dealt with devastating losses, heartbreak, and more.

Ella Nassauer, playing Jo, perfectly encapsulated Jo's inquisitive nature. With beautiful, clear vocals and a strong and commanding presence, Nassauer brought Jo to the stage with grace. Acting alongside her was Ellie Mazer, who played pure and innocent Beth. Mazer flawlessly displayed Beth's ability to stay sweet, even during her sickness. She was adorable to watch and accessed Beth's naivety with her touching rendition of "Some Things Are Meant to Be". Amy was played by Brigid Pellicano, who brought an element of excitement and energy to the performance. Pellicano took on Amy's fun, flighty side and interpreted the role impeccably. Her delightful voice significantly added to the musical, providing a captivating performance from which the audience was unable to turn away.

Costumes were done by Claudia Hunn and Bailey Vigil and were absolutely charming. Completely fitting with the time period, the costumes brought even more beauty to the performance. The marvelous dresses used throughout the piece were stunning. The sets, designed and overseen by Ryan De Angioletti, were detailed and extremely helpful for envisioning the scene. With details like a moving fire in the fireplace, the sets created an element of wonder to the already whimsical piece.

Little Women was an emotional, powerful piece that provided a new definition of what it means to love someone. This production beautifully accessed the contrast between the innocence of childhood with the pain of growing up and dealing with more pressing issues. Tuscarora's Little Women highlighted the grieving process with elegance and charm, and brought a nurturing and comforting element to the classic tale. Little Women really was "The Most Amazing Thing!"

Emily Townsend
Flint Hill School
Submitted for publication to Blue Ridge Leader

Tuscarora High School's charming production of Little Women featured a cast of ten actors whose impressive vocals, on-stage charisma, and dedication to the story helped the musical thrive and flourish. This adaption of the 2005 Broadway show told the tale of the close-knit March family and the four sisters' experiences with love, loss, and ever-changing relationship dynamics. Based on Louisa May Alcott's 1869 novel of the same name, this presentation of Little Women put a unique and socially distanced spin on the classic tale.

Even with a small number of actors, the cast was filled to the brim with talent. Among the standouts were the actors portraying Jo March, Professor Bhaer, and Marmee. Ella Nassauer (Jo) displayed an incredible range of emotions, perfectly capturing the energy of the spunky March sister who also lovingly takes care of the sickly young Beth. Nassauer's heartfelt vocal performances, in which she combined confidence and sensitivity, helped showcase the special relationship between the sisters through the power of music. Nassauer also had a great dynamic with Ryan Gill, who played Professor Bhaer. The flirty connection between the two in their culminating scene solidified Gill's character's personality as shy yet passionate. Another facet of Gill's strong performance was his spatial awareness, and the ability to make a scene with only two characters feel emotionally close while still being comfortable on stage and, of course, following safety guidelines for this year's altered theatre experience. Dillan Vanzego also contributed a strong supporting performance as Marmee, the mother of the March girls, with her calming stage presence and great dynamics with other cast members, via songs and scenes alike.

On the technical side, props and costumes added authenticity, charm, and context for the time period, highlighting the crew's attention to detail and intentionality. The costumes were visually pleasing, era-appropriate, and aided in differentiating between the characters: each March girl's outfit had its own color scheme. On-stage props, including an antique wheelchair, a kite, and an umbrella, added flair to scenes with only two or three characters. They acted as character-identifiers (the wheelchair signified Beth's ongoing health issues without providing excess context, for instance) as well as tools to fill the stage and direct the viewer's attention to key scenes -- even with limitations of COVID. In fact, the romantic scene between Jo and Professor Bhaer featured the umbrella as a creative way to stage a kiss while also being masked and separated.

With a wonderfully energetic cast, heartwarming solo, duet, and ensemble performances, and a technical stage crew working at the professional level, Little Women was a triumph, proving that, no matter the circumstances, strong relationships are meant to persevere. Tuscarora's drama department flawlessly recreated a musical favorite while bringing the "little women" of the March household into the 21st century in an unforgettable way!