by Terrance Mc Arthur

Meg. Jo. Beth. Amy. Does that ring a bell?

If it does, get your tickets now for the lovingly-staged Good Company Players’ 2nd Space Theatre production of Little Women: A Victorian Christmas Card, playing through December 22. You won’t be sorry.

If it doesn’t, get your tickets now for the lovingly-staged Good Company Players’ 2nd Space Theatre production of Little Women: A Victorian Christmas Card, playing through December 22. You won’t be sorry.

Laurie Pessano directed, and adapted Louisa May Alcott’s beloved Little Women with the help of nearly a score (that’s 20) of cast members and friends. The story follows the March sisters and their parents and friends through the American Civil War era. “Marmee” (Sally Tay Howe) cares for her daughters while “Papa” (Mark Standriff) serves as a chaplain in the Union Army. Meg (Claira Broach), the oldest daughter, acts as assistant mother for the girls. Jo (Erin Brown)—Alcott’s stand-in for herself—wants to write, is a tomboy, and bristles at society’s rules for a woman’s place. Beth (Cailey Feemster) is ethereal, spiritual, and frail. Amy (Jessica Martin) is a Material Girl born in the wrong century. Laurie Laurence (James Anderson), the rich boy next door, is shy and lonely, but Jo and her sisters help bring out his stronger qualities. Laurie’s grandfather (Patrick Allan Tromborg) seems forbidding, but he turns out to be a sweetheart.

Brown is spunky, animated, a growing spirit seeking to explore life. She gives Jo that verve that sometimes disappears when the character’s sweetness is emphasized. Broach radiates calm and confidence as Meg, accepting of love but surprised by it. Feemster is petite and calm as Beth, solemn in her sickness, giving and loving, trying to comfort those who try to comfort her. Martin s Amy starts out as bubbly and bouncy, a veritable Kristin Chenoweth of chirpiness, but she transforms into a cultured woman, aided by an amazing costume that popped out of designer Ginger Kay Lewis-Reed’s magic costume department.

Nibley is motherly as parent and wife, leaving her girls in the care of the family’s loyal servant, Hannah (Aurora Nibley), while she goes to the battlefield to care for her ill husband. Standriff is sturdy and caring as the father/chaplain, usually shown as reading letters from home in front of a campground mini-stage near the theatre entrance. He reads with warmth, mirth, and strength. Nibley bustles nicely as Hannah, sharing the excitement and concerns of the girls in the household.

Tracy Hostmyer is featured as Aunt March, with parts of Alcott’s Aunt Carrol character added. She is dour, snippy, and fault-finding, because she sees much potential in the girls. She comes across like a Victorian Laurie Metcalf (with more acid). Anderson is semi-gawky but earnest as Laurie Laurence, with a touch of Mark-Linn Baker. Enthusiastic, Laurence becomes an almost-part of the March family, finding love where he didn’t expect it. Tromborg can bluster with the best, and his wise, older gentleman characters always entertain.

Nathan Vived, portraying John Brooke, Laurie’s tutor who takes a liking to one of the March girls, shares the campfire set with Standriff in later scenes. He is kindly and considerate. Shawn Williams is an accent (German, that is) to the second act as Fredrick Bhaer, an immigrant professor reduced to tutoring when Jo meets him. Roger Christensen is suitably serious as the family’s doctor, a welcome addition to any stage.

The costumes emphasize the growth and maturing of the characters, and David Pierce’s set makes a quick transformation to travel next door. Clothing and scenery are as important to this production as the actors on the stage. Alcott’s episodic style is reflected in Brandi Martin’s lighting design, and songs of the Civil War era serve as pre-show and between-scene interludes. Hymns like “Abide With Me” and holiday tunes help make this production truly a Victorian Christmas Card.

Anderson, Feemster, Nibley, and Vived are all making their GCP debuts in this production. I hope to see them again in other Good Company shows.

2nd Space shows in the November-December slot are usually feel-good productions, and this is one of the best. Laurie Pessano & Company have cobbled together an entertainment families can cherish. Just as last year’s A Christmas Carol is scheduled to return in 2025, I hope this Victorian Christmas Card will return to delight future audiences.

The 2nd Space Theatre is at 928 E. Olive Ave, Fresno. For tickets and further information, contact gcplayers.com, or call (559) 266-9494.

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Terrance V. Mc Arthur worked for the Fresno County Public Library for three decades. He is retired, but not retiring. A storyteller, puppeteer, writer, actor, magician, basketmaker, and all-around interesting person, his goal is to make life more unusual for everyone he meets.