'Little Women The Musical' Creatively Comes to Life on Stage

Years ago, when I was considering which church to join upon moving to the South Bay, Manhattan Beach Community Church's then head minister, John Calhoun, promised me, "You'll never see a better group of performers than at this church."

It surprised me to talk to a church leadership that cared just as much about choir tours, plays and musicals as it did about Bible study.

But, as Youth and Family Minister Rev. Erin Wyma puts it in her opening letter to the audience of this year's "Little Women" playbill, "We honor the arts because creativity is a reminder that we come from a Creator God."

And creative it was. The church's community hall comes to life  - complete with an orchestra pit with live musicians. Indeed, if you are expecting a haphazard production, change your expectations. This is the real deal, with actors who have been seen regionally in local civic light operas as well as touring through New York and even, in one case, dancing in Japan. 

It is hard to pick the most notable moments in a play where the cast is very generally impressive. As each scene passed, I was thinking, "Now that is a scene to remember" or "They did a great job casting that role."  

And the vocal talents of the play's star, Cayt'lan Wayt, playing eldest sister Jo, cannot be denied. Her resume includes training and acting in New York as well as singing the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium. She manages to play the role with a heavy hand of humor, bringing some likability to an otherwise self-obsessed character.

Jonathan Stehney is charmingly cast as the awkwardly lovable Laurie, and you will adore the scenes in which he sings and dances, despite his not having the stunning voice of his counterparts. His rendition of "Take a Change on Me" is adorable, and the highlight of the play in my opinion is the ensemble song "Five Forever" he sings with the four sisters. Coming from a family of five myself, I was laughing and smiling during this crowd-winning scene.

Though there were moments time passed without much thought, the first Act did seem to drag on. By the time we reached intermission, which offered a snack bar and coffee, I was ready for the break. The good news: Act II is far shorter, with only eight songs to the first act's 11.

If you know the ending to the book or play, you know the story takes some heart-wrenching turns in the second half as the women grow up and the "Five Forever" begin to make their own ways in life. 

I remember reading this book as a child, during one of those weekends at my Nana's house in which she insisted I read the classics like Little Women and Jane Eyre. I remember the way the book pulled me in, how I loved the characters, and how I felt they were so similar to my own two sisters and me. I remember being afraid to turn the page, knowing things would not unfold the way I'd hoped. 

The play delivers some of these same emotions, but don't expect to repeat all of them. There is simply no way to do Louisa May Alcott's words justice on stage, even if you take three hours. However, this production delivers a close second.

For those of you who don't have it in you to dive into the 546 pages and who want a night with soda and M&M's listening to music and watching the stage, consider attending Little Women's ongoing performances tonight at 8 p.m., Sunday at 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, April 15 and 16 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 17 at 2 p.m.

The production does push three hours in length. With an 8 p.m. start time when I attended, this meant the staging ended around 11 p.m., making it perhaps the perfect night for a couple seeking a nice date. But you may want to consider your children's patience if you are thinking of bringing the family along and perhaps select the Sunday matinee on April 17. Though the crew does a great job with set changes and costumes, there are no frills and effects in this play to keep the kids engaged beyond the storyline and a talented musical cast.

Little Women will be presented 8 p.m. tonight and Friday and Saturday, April 15 and 16 and at  7 p.m. Sunday, April 10, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 17. Tickets are $15.