Theater Review: ‘Little Women: A Victorian Christmas Card’ delivers another warm holiday greeting
Some stories are worth revisiting, especially when they arrive with a familiar cast of characters, a little holiday magic and the possibility of a misty-eyed nostalgia. Good Company Players’ revival of “Little Women: A Victorian Christmas Card,” adapted and directed by Laurie Pessano from Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel, delivers much the same heartwarming experience as its 2024 debut. My review of that first production still stands in its essentials: This is a faithful, sweetly portrayed adaptation that understands the enduring appeal of the March family. This time around, however, the company has another opportunity to settle into the material, and the results are especially rewarding in the second act.
The March sisters find their footing
The first act clips along at a pleasing pace, although it’s a lot of ground to cover, and the early scenes occasionally feel a bit perfunctory. But once the March sisters begin confronting the realities of growing up, the production finds its emotional footing. The second act gives the actors considerably more to work with, and they respond with greater depth and nuance. Erin Brown remains a standout as Jo, capturing her stubborn independence and restless ambition, while Jessica Martin again brings youthful charm and spirit to Amy. Sally Tay Howe gives Marmee a welcome combination of warmth and strength, making her more than simply the family’s moral compass.
The supporting cast provides plenty of texture along the way. Jayne Day’s Hannah and Roger Christensen’s Mr. Laurence offer lively quips that keep the story from becoming too sentimental. Emily Kearns radiates Beth’s vulnerability, and the emotional payoff of her story is affectingly portrayed. Her scenes with Brown are among the production’s strongest, with both actors finding the tenderness and heartbreak in the sisters’ relationship. Terry Lewis gives Professor Bhaer a tender insecurity, allowing the character’s affection for Jo to emerge without overwhelming the maturation taking place in her character. Meanwhile, Jonathan Silva’s Laurie holds his space in the ensemble before coming into his own as Laurie embraces adulthood and the March sister that has truly captured his heart. Kaitlin Marsh and Ross Bookout make a well-matched Meg and John Brooke, bringing an attractive steadiness to their relationship, while Aurora Nibly’s Aunt March provides just enough friction to keep the March women on their toes.
Letters, love and a little holiday magic
One of the adaptation’s more effective devices remains the use of letters to and from Papa March, who is away serving as a Civil War chaplain. Although the character spends much of the action at a distance, Chase Stubblefield’s delivery on Nov. 6 gave those moments an affectionate, emotional presence. (He shares the role with Mark Standriff.) Rather than functioning as mere exposition, the letters become little grace notes, reminders of the family bonds at the center of the story. The production’s visual elements are similarly uncomplicated but effective. David Pierce’s set provides an appropriately cozy backdrop, while Ginger Kay Lewis-Reed’s costumes move comfortably between the March family’s homespun circumstances and the more polished European glamour of the later scenes.
There is something reassuring about returning to a story whose emotional landmarks are so well known. Pessano’s approach doesn’t attempt to reinvent Alcott’s classic, nor does it need to. This strong adaptation benefits from a cast that finds its footing as the story deepens, delivering a lovely little missive about family, growing up and the ties that hold us together. I hope Pessano will consider seeking a publisher for this script as it deserves a wider audience and would be an excellent offering to the growing need for community theater holiday shows. “Little Women: A Victorian Christmas Card” is a warm holiday outing for the whole family, and one that should leave audiences with a few memories worth keeping.
“Little Women: A Victorian Christmas Card” runs through Dec. 22, 2026, at Good Company Players’ 2nd Space Theatre
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