Little Women

See it if you want to see an adaptation of the classic 19th Century novel seen through a 21st Century lens; you appreciate Hamill's work.

Don't see it if you are an Alcott purist or unwilling to accept a modern, progressive interpretation (albeit still set in its original period) of the novel.

Also Whereas Louisa May Alcott blurred the boundaries between Jo's desire to be an independent woman in Victorian England and her ambiguous sexual feelings, Kate Hamill has determined that Jo is a lesbian. Making this explicit removes much of the nuance and drama of the original source. While Act I remains largely faithful to the novel, Act II is essentially a play by Hamill with characters and some plot points appropriated from Alcott.... Read more Read less

See it if Great to see a writer perform. Color blind casting works Nice revision. . Kristolyn Lloyd on her way to super-stardom.

Don't see it if You need "without alterations". You want to wait for the musical version next season. At our viewing the new performer was still on book.

See it if you like the book, enjoy literary adaptations for the stage, enjoy actors in multiple roles/playing much younger & a strong woman focus

Don't see it if not a Alcott fan, expect more warmth & sentiment between the characters, don't enjoy non-traditional casting, overemphasis on Jo

See it if you like stories of conflicted people or misfits, or appreciate empowered, female characters.

Don't see it if romantic dramedies aren't your thing.

See it if you enjoy a well acted and heartwarming play about four very individual young women growing up and interacting with each other.

Don't see it if you like a sophisticated drama or don't like old fashioned stories.

Also Jo has certainly been updated a bit but this story has some very powerful moments and does show the individuality and strength of women. Very relevant for these times.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see an ADAPTATION (not the original) where Jo dresses as a man (suit & mustache) and explores gender identity issues.

Don't see it if You want to see the original Little Women, as this is not it.

See it if You are open to new versions of old classics.

Don't see it if If you are a purist.

See it if you’d enjoy a look at Little Women how it was probably intended, before Alcott’s publisher forced some more traditional rewrites.

Don't see it if you don’t want to see one of theater’s finest, most versatile actors - Kristolyn Lloyd - give another accomplished turn.

See it if a fan of Kate Hamill’s acting and work (that is, her tendency to take classic literature and give it a humorous yet intelligent spin).

Don't see it if you're expecting a precise version of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868-69 classic. Hamill’s work likes to twist (and shout in) the iconic moments.

Also Little Women casts playwright Kate as eldest sister Meg March and finds humor in a classic, serious novel. Hamill’s skill is extracting the warmth of an original story and elevating it, deliciously, into both contemporarily-resonant and slapstick-funny work. At times, we could do with a little less pouting from Amy or screeching from Meg. Beth is as much the conscience of the March family as we could hope. Jo, played wonderfully by Kristolyn Lloyd, is sassy, smart, and a bit out of her element when it comes to romance. Nate Mann (in his New York stage debut) as Laurie offers a generous, gentle spirit that's appropriately playful and bashful. The entire cast is engaging and charming—sometimes sickly sweet. Little Women does move quickly through the material, leaving much out. And while less of a screwball production than other Hamill plays, there’s something very likable and fun about it and how these young people navigate a fraught world with such courage, grace, and imperfection.... Read more Read less

See it if If you are a fan of the novel to the point that you care about every possible variation of a theme, have at it.

Don't see it if If you are bringing children to expose them to one of your favorite classic novels, you may have a problem with Jo being dressed as a man.

Also While I am not a fan of what I consider political correctness to the point of pandering that has overtaken this season, I can concede that some pieces are worthy of re-examination in current times. That said, this is not it.

We were sitting behind a woman and her granddaughter, and it seems unfair for a child's first exposure to a classic to have to be explained, i.e., why these sisters have a sister who looks nothing like them, and why she is dressed as a man.

The points be made here don't need to be driven home so stridently. I was especially disappointed because I've loved what Bedlam has done in the past with classics. Time for them to understand they have gone too far
in their zeal to be au courant. Stick to what you do best.... Read more Read less

See it if You admire Kate Hamill & won't be disappointed with a rather dour interpretation of Little Women. I had thought better of the March sisters

Don't see it if Your memory of Little Women is a happier one. Yes, Amy is spoiled, but where is the love that united them.

See it if you enjoyed Little Women in any form and want to revisit; you like period plays;

Don't see it if you prefer musicals; you have no interest in seeing Louisa May Alcott's novel come to life

See it if you know "Little Women" and consider it hopelessly dated and in need of re-writing.

Don't see it if you know "Little Women" , love it, and think it is a classic because it has characters and situations that are universal & timeless.

Also We are in the middle of an epidemic of "adaptations" in which we are given the play the original writer would have given us if she had just had been as brilliant as the current adapter! This "version" is based loosely on the original but with one scene after another re-written to suit the adapter's agenda.... Read more Read less

See it if you have a literary background or just love the classic novel

Don't see it if you are expecting conventional casting or are bored by Victorian literature

See it if you did not love the Victorian original by Louise May Alcott & were eager for Kate Hamill's radical departures in plot & characterizations

Don't see it if you prefer fidelity to the original novel; you're a fan of open casting that makes sisters look like they were born in different countries

Also If you prefer Kate Hamill's radical departure from Louisa May Alcott, read no further.

Saw it May 17th & I needed time to process my dismay.

The manic jazzed up energy of Act I not only works against character development, it's also antithetical to the 19th century era in which the story is set.

Alcott's Jo March lived in a world ferociously ruled by men. An aspiring Victorian Era author had to choose between having free time for her craft -- or being submerged in the duties of a wife & mother. However, Alcott never portrays intelligent Jo as a closet lesbian nor a female who'd rather dress as a man.

In Hamill's version, the charismatic Kristolyn Lloyd is more comfortable in male drag & after she cuts off her hair, she looks more like Laurie's "bro" than the gal-next-door who has him smitten.

There were so many departures to the novel that it was unrecognizable.

The new trend of casting sisters as members of different races can be a mishmash.... Read more Read less

See it if You like a classic done with a little modernization.

Don't see it if You like classics without any changes or like comedies

See it if You are a fan of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women! The book and movie were much better. Why does everything have to be so POLITICAL?

Don't see it if You think you are going to see a true adaptation of the book! Everything is me too!

See it if Enjoy remakes of old classics that take liberties with the story to accommodate politically correct themes of contemporary society

Don't see it if Cannot countenance the liberty taken with classic gems

See it if You really like the book

Don't see it if You're looking for a relevant or illuminating piece of theatre

See it if Somewhat adapted for a new age, but not radically re-formatted, this needs to be enjoyed. Kate Hamill has done it well again!

Don't see it if You require an absolute, in the box retelling of the story. You're a dolt.

Also It maintains a great heart and soul, while not being to syrupy. Just go.... Read more Read less

See it if You want two very different acts.

Don't see it if You want a show that grabs your attention. It was work sitting to the end.

See it if you love Little Women and/or Kate Hamill's writing. I like the cast. The story was more vague in areas than I am used to.

Don't see it if don't like Little Women or Hamill's style. Sometimes I felt like too many liberties taken but I enjoyed the show over all.

See it if you'd like to see the classic story in a very similar way to how it is told in the original novel with a diverse cast

Don't see it if if you're hoping for an interesting, edgy take on the original story.

Also Hamill takes the character of Jo a step forward with her non-binary/trans identity but if feels like it's going nowhere in the end. Also, the anti-war message is kind of blurry. I wish the production had a stronger point of view to justify itself.

Also, being that the piano is a big part of this staging, was it that hard to find actors who can actually play instead of the playback?... Read more Read less

See it if You want to revisit this streamlined classic. Production highlights the feminism of the original work.

Don't see it if You find Jo March annoying. She’s doubly so here. Beth is exponential as well

See it if you enjoy interesting family dramas with outstandingly portrayed and acted leads. See a dated piece of literature with an excellent rewrite.

Don't see it if you don't enjoy family dramas and literature that has been revised and refreshed to meet the needs of the 2019 theatre goer..