Opinions on Little Women?

[pacificnorthwest]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 2:33pm

Trying to see every musical has its pitfalls.... that is, sometimes a musical comes along that you know is going to make your teeth hurt, and yet you feel you've gotta go. So I'm feeling like seeing Little Women will be a chore. My question is, am I right? Perhaps it's wonderful and not overly sentimental. Would love to hear any and all opinions from those who have been, or have heard rumblings. Thanks!

[Mamie]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 2:38pm

Quite a few people have already seen this and expressed their opinions. Did you do a search back to those threads?

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 2:40pm

Here is a readers digest version of my review:

Sutton overacted in the first act but was brilliant in the second one.......Music is excellent especially Marmee's songs and "Somethings Are Meant to Be" (bring tissues for this song).....All the actors are great.....sets are amazing......Def. suggest you going and seeing it.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 2:45pm

Here's my short review -

Sutton was brilliant in both acts. She was the highlight of the show. The music was bland and generic and I can't recall one single song even only 3 days after seeing it. The girl who played Amy was perhaps the single most annoying actress I have ever in my entire life had to suffer through seeing on the stage. I would consider going back to see Sutton in it again, but that would mean having to hear that girl speak so it's something I won't do.
Parts of the story were set to music that didn't need to be and things that should have been were left out completely. The book needs reworking to explain some things that will definately confuse the hell out of people not familiar with the story.

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 3:03pm

A condensed version of my review of out-of-toem tryouts:

Sutton is brilliant throughout the entire show. The entire supporting cast (with the exception of Amy who is a good actress but extremely annoying) is very strong. Maureen McGovern is wonderful. I enjoyed all the songs and am still singing them today (of course, I did see the show three times, so that helps me remember). There are some songs which are very, very strong (Atonishing, Somethings are Meant to Be(gorgeous gorgeous tearjerker), Days of Plenty, etc.)the other songs are also very good imho. I personally don't think the show is overly sentimental. The sets are fabulous as are the costumes. I would reccommend seeing the show just to see Sutton because she truly is amazing. I love this show and I hope I can see it in New York in the very near future.

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 3:06pm

most of the reviews i have read have been pretty positive. the sample songs i have heard i thought sounded very pretty and rememberable. Updated On: 12/20/04 at 03:06 PM

[bdwybug55]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 12:25am

I just saw the show. Now let me preface this by saying that I was in such high hopes that Little Women would be spectacular. I am very depressed about many of the shows coming to Broadway and I had very high hopes. So, my opinion may be a little scewed.

I found the story slightly hard to follow having never read the book...it is not really top on a young boys list (LOL). For the most part I found the music to be terribly bland, unexciting and not terribly an approapriate match for the story. I did, however thouroughly enjoy "Some Things are Meant to Be." Megan McGinnis (Beth) and Sutton Foster were wonderful in that scene. I definitely enjoyed Sutton Foster in this perhaps even more than Millie. I also really enjoyed seeing and hearing Ms. McGovern again. The sets, lighting and costumes were outstanding.

So, my overall rating would be about a 7 out of 10. I enjoyed it but I guess I was just hoping for more. This is early on in the previews so perhaps some changes will be made. I am hoping for a good run and reception so I will definitely go back and support it after the official opening.

I guess my next excitement for an opening comes with Light in the Piazza. I am very much looking forward to seeing Kelly O'Hara in the leading role. I just think she is beautiful and so talented. She really deserves to be in a hit this time. She hasn't had much luck with that aspect. Updated On: 12/21/04 at 12:25 AM

[LongIsland Grl]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 1:17am

I saw the show last Friday and loved it. My prespective is that of a person who has read the novel many many times and I thought the translation of the novel to the musical was done well. The book is quaint and in turn they made the musical quaint. There aren't any grandiose songs like "Defying Gravity" or "One Day More" because songs like that would not suit the story. The songs are well written and the cast sings them well. As for the actress who plays Amy, she does an excellent job because Amy is supposed to be really annoying. Just like Beth is supposed to be sweet and the girl who plays her really does have a sweetness about her. Jo is supposed to be a free-spirit and that's why Sutton is so suited for the role. Her voice is not your typical "beautiful" voice but it is different and unique and wonderful. I give it 2 thumbs up.

[BreakingTheCircle07]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 1:23am

I was very pleased with "Little Women." The actresses were amazing (Sutton, Megan, and Maureen topping the list), but the men pushed their performances (John Hickock was very good though...quiet and simple). The set was stellar! The side stairs reminded me of "Sweeney," but the backdrops and sliding sides were lovely, and GREAT lighting (Meg and Jo's scene at the formal stands out the most). I found the music a fine first Broadway show for those composers (I feel bad I don't have their names in front of me). In a time with jukebox shows and unfortunate Sondheim flops (why, "Bounce," why?) , it was nice hearing a fresh show. Though, Jo and Aunt March's song and Amy and her fiancee's song were underwritten and goofy. I found each acts' openings drawed the audience in nicely. Overall, an 8 outta 10.

[Icbanannie]

Posted: 12/23/04 at 1:58pm

Probably one of the worst shows I have seen. Saw it this week and was amazed at how bad it was. Sutton is amazing but she is WASTEd in a show like this. The girl playing Amy needs to not be so annoying, and some of the songs need to be reworked. Also, the actors looked very forced and rigid on the set. They were not comfortable with it yet.
Its still in previews so hopefully it will get better.

[PJ]

Posted: 12/23/04 at 2:35pm

Absolutely loved it. I posted a long review last Sunday.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/23/04 at 2:43pm

Thumbs down

Posted: 12/23/04 at 4:14pm

I liked it a lot and I see a Tony award for Sutton Foster I just thought it was a bit too long

[Iris Chacon]

Posted: 12/23/04 at 5:12pm

Read Dames review . It should be somewhere on this board.

[another sloe eyed vamp]

Posted: 12/23/04 at 7:13pm

I was very disappointed in it, after having read the great reviews posted here. I agree with Matt_G about the music being bland, and I while I think people would understand what's going on without having read the book, the script made it all too implausible for me. Jo suddenly deciding to marry the professor (who was way too nebbishy for me) without all the background really weakened it. And I found Beth so minor a character that I was really surprised to read all the posts by people who found her death moving. But what bothered me most was how little it seemed like the mid-1800s. Except the actress playing Aunt March, everyone seemed like they were playing dress-up instead of being in a different time.

I did like the set very much, though at one point all the horizontal lines in the attic started to vibrate on me. Did anyone else notice that?

[ksp1994]

Posted: 12/23/04 at 8:21pm

I give it a 6 out of 1O. Hopefully, it has improved since I saw the preview at Duke University. The talent is amazing. I am a huge fan of both Sutton Foster and Maureen McGovern. I would recommend seeing this show simply to see them perform. But, the music was not memorable. Amys character was not written very well - she seems to progress from a very young kid to an adult in a period of three years according to the script. And, I have to admit that seeing the show reminded me that Im not a huge fan of the story. I guess I like romance and happy endings. And, the story really has neither.

[MusicMan]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 12:28am

I agree with MattG: the music is bland and generic in itself, indistinguishable from other pop-theatre dreck on Broadway today and fails to establish period, place or characterization.

[kangaroo]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 12:39am

I guess I'll have to decide when I see it... or when I hear the recording, but so far this musical looks great. I think it has a great story, I love the book... and everyone looks amazing.
They picked a great cast.

[NightLaughs]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 12:13pm

I adored this show.

I agree with all who said Sutton is brilliant. AMAZING. I posted a review as well, but here are the cliff notes- I thoroughly enjoyed the show, and have been humming the tunes ever since I saw it. I love the music, though a couple songs weren't for me. And as far as Amy goes, her character was intended to be annoying, pesky, so on. If the character didn't annoy the audience, I don't think it'd be a true portrayal. Kudos to Amy for that. It's just my oppinion anyway. The show was lovely and touching, you should see it. I have a feeling it will connect with the masses. One can only hope....