Theater Review: 'Little Women' by Sacred Heart University Theatre

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

“Little Women,” the play written by Kate Hamill which is adapted from the classic Louisa May Alcott novel, is being staged by Sacred Heart University Performing Arts Theatre Arts Program this weekend only on the stage of the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts on the SHU campus in Fairfield.

Fred Sternfeld directed the students, ensuring that all of the details are covered. Sophomore Caitlin Neville is the assistant director. Billy Kasheta served as production stage manager.

This adaptation of “Little Women” invites the audience to watch the four March sisters grow into adults, with some lovely comedy and a feminist bent.

The cast is led by SHU sophomore Erin Pellegrini in the pivotal role of the strong Jo March. Grace Anderson is a delight in the role of the serious Meg March in her first show at SHU. Grace Peknic, a junior, is lovely as the shy and lovely Beth March. In past SHU productions, Peknic played Janet in “The Rocky Horror Show” and Emily Webb in “Our Town.” Sophomore Nora Delehanty (Eileen in “Moon Over Buffalo, Belle in “A Christmas Carol”) nails the character of the baby of the family, Amy March

Grace Posillico, a senior who appeared in “The Crucible,” is appropriately motherly as Marmee March, the matriarch of the family. Freshman Andrew Sisti charms the audience as Laurie Lauernce.

Jordan Pita, a senior at SHU, portrays the elder Mr. Laurence, the patriarch Mr. March and the doctor. Senior Graig McMenamin (“Moon Over Buffalo,” “Our Town”) steps up to play tutor John Brooks and Mr. Dashwood.

Nora Serrao, who appeared as Magenta in “Rocky Horror,” here portrays housekeeper Hannah and does well with the role.

Maggie Ives, a SHU sophomore who played Rosalind in “Moon Over Buffalo,” appears as Mrs. Mingott and senior Kayla Goncalves ages way up to play the elderly Aunt March in her SHU acting debut.

The ensemble includes Abby Anderson, Juliana Leonardis, Kathryn Bliss, Lucas Orwciz, Nolan Young (offstage voice of the parrot) and Nick Rubano (Rocky in “Rocky Horror,” Hunter in [title of show])

While I have seen many rotating sets, this one is the first that I can recall a large set piece with only two sides. As one scene was being performed in front of the side facing the audience, the backstage crew was redressing the other side for the next scene. Between scenes, two stage hands silently rotated the set piece. The set design is credited to the Theater Arts Program.

The period costumes were designed by Lauren Baroletti and Bethany Gibson. They fit the era nicely, but some proved a bit difficult to quickly change at times, at least on opening night. Hair and makeup design by Jenny Tilden was flattering and effective.

Lighting design is by Anna Allegretti and Maddie Leong and period props design is by Matthew Cordova and Will Heidelberger V, and include a parrot. Sound and projection design by Maggie Devlin and Kirsten St. Aubin added to the sound and look of the show.

I enjoyed watching the opening night performance with many SHU students that had come out to support their classmates. The young people currently attending my alma mater may not have been familiar with the story, so their reactions were at times more genuine than the older members of the audience. They loved the “hot potato” scene and the rest of the comedy in the script and joined forces to applaud the cast. Intermission comes after Mr. March returns from the war.

Performances are scheduled Nov. 10 and 11 at 8:00 p.m. and Nov. 12 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets for Little Women are available online at edgertoncenter.org, at the Edgerton Center Box Office in person Monday to Friday, 12-4, or on the phone at (203) 371-7908