Review: UNC's "Little Women" is a a must-see for entire family

With music ranging across the imaginable spectrum of styles, UNC Opera Theatre's production of Little Women has a little bit of everything. It is beautiful to hear, gorgeous to see, and is at turns comedic, tragic and poignant.

Mark Adamo's adaptation strays very little from the Louisa May Alcott story that we all know so well. It's a story of love, life and death, bittersweet memories and finally, the triumph of love over resentment, all set in post-Civil War New England.

Director Brian Clay Luedloff is blessed with such an excess of student talent that he has wisely chosen to double-cast the show. The unfortunate result is that we are each able to only see half of the best vocal students in the region. Standouts among the cast I saw included Gary Kubert as Brooke, Christopher Puckett as Laurie and Christienne Bloom ruling the roost as Aunt Cecilia.

But the show belongs to Jo, and Sharon Gee doesn't disappoint. With a beautiful, clear voice and expressive face, she is a joy to watch. On Friday evening, Paul Hasstedt will play Brooke, Lori Depew will portray Cecilia, and Kelsey Shiba will star as Jo.

Luedloff's direction is crisp and clean. It's difficult to produce grand opera on a relatively small stage but he manages it well. There's not a lot of extra action here, giving emphasis to what movement is required. The culminating death scene is as powerful as any I've seen in quite some time - this is what good drama is all about!

The orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Julian Gomez-Giraldo is up to the challenge. Balanced well with the singers, the music at times is lush and beautiful and at other times indefinable. The mournful cello solo in the final act foretells the end of the story and nearly brings a tear to the eye.

The simple but imaginative set, designed by James Dykstra, is a perfect palette for lighting designer Kirk Starks' beautiful interplay of light and shadow, although the followspots were frustratingly distracting. The costumes, designed by Patty Cleary and Anne M. Toewe, are an asset to the production, clearly establishing period, class, and even personality.

Everyone should have the opportunity to experience live opera at least once in their life. This is the production to take your children to. Coming in a little more than two hours, it will hold their attention. They should already know the story, and the message of embracing life in the present is a timeless story for the ages. It's a story we all need to revisit periodically.

-- Bryan VanDriel lives in Greeley and has been active in the arts for over 30 years.

WHERE TO GO

WHAT: "Little Women" An Opera Theatre production of UNC College of Performing and Visual Arts

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Today, Friday and Saturday

WHERE: Langworthy Theatre, 9th Avenue at 17th Street

TICKET INFO: (970) 351-2200