Big charm in Fresno Pacific’s ‘Little Women’

Christopher Columbus! What a charming production of “Little Women.”

Within the first five minutes of Fresno Pacific University’s presentation of the musical adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s famed novel, I knew we were on track for a deeply felt, nicely realized production. From some stellar vocals and buoyant performances to the thrill of a live orchestra, much of the show sparkles. Most important, director Bethany Rader is able to bring out the emotional depth in material that could easily be glossed over.

Sadly, the production only runs one weekend, which means that just three performances remain at the Fresno Memorial Auditorium: 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 9; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 10.

That narrative is focused, of course, on the scrappy Josephine March (played by Meg Clark in a big and bountiful performance), one of four sisters growing up in New England during the Civil War. Jo wants to be a writer, but for years she doesn’t see that her greatest subject matter was right there before her all along: the amazing bond shared growing up between the sisters.

Clark has a soaring voice, handling the show’s signature song, “Astonishing,” which closes the first act by detailing an anguished Jo’s hopes and dreams, with considerable finesse. She’s even more impressive in her lower vocal range, filling the theater with a sturdy wall of sound. Vocally, she’s a natural for the musical-theater stage.

She also has nice comic timing, but sometimes her performance is so high-octane it can be distracting. Yes, Jo is impertinent and impulsive, but Clark at times is just a little too frantic in the character, almost overcaffeinated, not quite in sync with the rest of the tone of the play.

The four sisters together have a great sense of ensemble, and each gets her moment to shine. Emily Mooney is a standout as Beth, the frail sister. (She and Clark share a tender second-act scene together that lingers.) Gracie Watkins offers sturdy vocals as Meg, the first to marry, and Annelise Escobedo has some impishly good moments as Amy, the youngest.

Again, Rader as director deftly draws out some beautiful emotional moments in the play, particularly in a touching scene between Marmee (Laynee Roth, perhaps not as strong as some in her vocals but quite fine in capturing a maternal joy and ache). Bryn Riley has a charismatic stage presence as the crusty Aunt March, and her “Could You?” duet with Jo is a vocal treat.

Speaking of charisma, EJ Hinojosa is a standout as the sweet and gregarious Laurie, the neighbor boy whose crush on Jo is evident early on. He’s someone else who could have a future in theater – he lights up the stage. Garrison Bennett is solid vocally as Professor Bhaer. Tim Fletcher, Jake Mizner and Allison Calhoun nicely round out the ensemble.

Fresno Pacific’s theater and music department doesn’t have the resources and infrastructure of other collegiate-area programs, but I’m impressed with its make-do spirit. The move to the Fresno Memorial Auditorium for musical productions, a relatively recent endeavor, allows for a much more sophisticated presentation than anything possible on campus.

Jerry Vocalino’s scenic design, featuring rotating set pieces, is effective but still feels a little bulky and sterile. (A nice exception is a wonderful seaside scene depicted by five floating panels; the design could have used more of this type of departure from realism.)

Steven Herevia’s sound design is a lot better than some shows I’ve seen at this venue. I could hear almost every lyric, even over conductor Erik Leung’s full (and well prepared) orchestra.

But Herevia’s lighting design is too rudimentary, with too much reliance on a follow spot and a lack of sophisticated transitions between scenes.

Brooke Aiello’s costume design is a high point, with her big, hoopy, period dresses in particular helping set the time and place.

It all comes together for a quite joyful performance. Fresno Pacific should be proud of this show’s musicality, direction and earnestness. “Little Women” has some big things going for it.

This story was originally published April 9, 2016 at 10:49 AM with the headline "Big charm in Fresno Pacific’s ‘Little Women’."