I am Jo March... there, I've said it.

I hate to post so soon after Dark Knight because it would appear that there is a lack of respect there, but alas.
Must take time out for all forms of media-- that would include theatre.

Last night I saw Little Women at the Hale and I was very pleased. Why does this show always induce tears? I think it is partially because of how indulgently female the story is: family of girls live in a time where being outspoken or un-feminine in any way is abhorred, female writers are much harder to get published, and sibling issues/events with an already emotional/hormonal family of females can get pretty insane. I also just feel like I am Jo March at times. I have too many dreams at times about just publishing something great or feeling "Astonishing" in the world... or at anything. And I would just love to play that part. I sing those songs in my car at the top of my lungs and it reminds we why theatre is so great.

I also love the love stories that evolve in the show. They are so subtle, and my favorite song is at the end as the professor (whom she has a very platonic relationship with at the time) says, Hey we are two different people, but you make me laugh and smile and I feel pain when you aren't there...etc. So sweet and real. And yes, were it not a live, theatre piece, it would be a cheesy girlish movie that you might sit and mock because it couldn't be more cheddar. But this one will always be a favorite. I loved BYU's production of it when they did it this past year, but I think I even liked this one more because of the ability to attend to detail and reality emotion wise. Plus, the other show was far too long and had random dancers in it because they are political BYU and had to give people something to do so they can feel important about themselves. Whatevs.

BYU does it again...

I have to say that I am usually impressed with the caliber of performance that comes out of the theatre department, and this one was no exception. There were, as usual, things I liked and things I did not. Looking at it from a practioner's perspective, I tried to identify and understand what was going on in the creation of this show that made it successful and not so successful to me:

+ I loved the set. The cut away house was fun and added a sense of realism to the story, forcing the characters to really go upstairs a level (rather than platforms or otherwise).

- Not so sure that I loved the choreography. There was not a need for an ensemble in the show at all, and to be quite honest, they distracted me from the real story. The story seemed fairly grounded until random people had to dance the set on and off-- who needs that? In fact, it seemed more like a chance for all of those students who are aspiring MDT students to get to be in a main stage production. If the concept had something to do with it and that was more obvious- I think it wouldn't have bothered me as much as it does.

+ The acting was quite good. I thought each scene felt important and I was impressed to see how high the stakes were for each of the characters- mark of a fine director and some good directing takers. I thought the songs were better interpreted than I had heard on the CD. These characters understood the humor of the scenes so well and it was so enjoyable to watch the mini discoveries that took place throughout the show. The singing was all quite exceptional as well.

+ The way they chose to portray Beth's death was interesting as well. It is written to be sweet and tender, and I enjoyed that part of the scene, but I also enjoyed a little extra piece of interpretation that I don't know we would have gotten anywhere by here: A woman in white came on and danced with Beth's kite as Jo and her sang "Some things are Meant to Be" (again, I didn't need the dancing). After she died, the woman in white comes back on and pushes Beth's wheelchair off into a light. Before they reach the end of the stage, Beth gets up and walks off stage on her own. I think it was a neat way to throw an LDS stamp on the meaning of death and how it seemed more hopeful than destitute. I love that we can do that to a piece of theatre to tell our stories and to communicate to an audience.