I've been putting off blogging about the end of Little Women, because I feel like any words I put down will be inadequate. This show was one of the all-around best I've ever had the privilege to be part of. It might be my favorite show, ever.
The cast was incredibly talented and dedicated, the production team had a clear vision and were a pleasure to work with, the crew was professional and kind, the costumes and set were stellar. I loved everyone involved and feel so lucky I got to be a part of this experience. It didn't matter how bad the rest of my day might have been, when I arrived at the theater to prepare for a performance, I immediately felt energized and happy. Even being sick for three of the four weeks didn't bring me down (I was lucky my role wasn't as music-intensive as some of the others'). I had the most supportive people around me -- all willing to do whatever they could to help me perform my best, and never stingy with praise and gratitude. Oh, gosh. It was a pleasure to be there.
Plus, I know it was a terrific show. The positive response to it was overwhelming! May people, including me, complain about the script, but I feel like our performances made up for a lack of written character depth and gaps in the story. I didn't feel at all embarrassed recommending my friends to pay $20 to see it, though I understood if the price was a deterrent. There was a different cast for every day of the week (especially with the usually double-cast roles of Beth and Amy being shared by three actresses) and everyone played differently with each other in spite of our director's request we try to perform like our doubles. I had my opinions on which doubles were "best" in their roles... but those mostly depended on collective chemistry onstage (no, I'm not going to call out on this blog which was the "better" of any of the characters). More than one patron told me it was
the best show they'd ever seen at CenterPoint Legacy
AND Rodgers Memorial. I wish they had allowed us to take a video. I was so proud of this production and would love to show it off to any who would let me!
My character was insanely fun to play. I might have to write another blog post just about her, especially since I never got around to working on a character sketch. Miss Amy March was written as the villain AND the comic relief in the show, and I did my best to do her justice and somehow make her a little endearing, too. It would have been so easy to make her silly and one-dimensional; I couldn't resist throwing in my own experiences and understanding of why she was so frustrated as the youngest, left-behind sister, and later coming in to her own and hoping her family would continue to love her even though she had grown up. I wanted to make her a strong and real person. Many of my physical and emotional choices were deliberate and I think they enhanced my performance. It's such a great role!
I am proud to say that I never failed to get a laugh from my favorite line: "Sashes aren't silly!"
I love making people laugh! It's one of the best things in the world!
My greatest stress -- and the cast's favorite joke -- was that I was at least 12 years older than the six women who played my sisters. Being so much older and yet playing the youngest was terrifying! Fortunately, like I said, everyone was supportive. My double was sixteen and I learned a lot from her own portrayal and her encouragement of mine. I was reassured over and over again that though it was obvious I was not 12, no one would guess I am 34. Every time a friend saw the show and said they were amazed by my transfiguration into a 12 year old I mentally cheered and breathed a sigh of relief.
 |
| Five for all -- FOREVER!! |
Actually, many of the cast members didn't know my real age until the end of the run -- some still don't :-D
I had thought my days of playing teenagers were past, and maybe they are now, but I am inordinately grateful I had another chance to play this character. I loved doing it four years ago, and I loved it again now. I wish I could have one more shot -- I love her that much. I honestly believe this is one of those roles that I am uniquely suited to play and really identified with. I got to do just about everything I wanted to, and it paid off!
I never tired of this production. With the exception of having to change costume between EVERY SINGLE SCENE I think I could have continued for another month or year. Sixteen performances were not enough to play with my character and the other people in the cast and crew. It went by far too quickly.
A lot of people are looking forward to the next show at
CenterPoint,
The Scarlet Pimpernel (I have tickets for tonight!), and calling it the event of the year. I got to hear some of their rehearsals from the dressing room and under the stage during my show and it's going to be terrific. When it came to
Little Women, I don't think people expected much going in and then were nicely surprised. Even men who don't enjoy chick flicks or theater enjoyed it. The show had so much heart and talent you couldn't help but be moved. My friend
Kate wrote one of my favorite tributes (click her name to read it). I am thrilled that she and others were so inspired by our production!
Thank you so much to all who came and supported me this time! It means so much to me!
Oddly, I'm not depressed about it being over. I loved it, and I miss it and the people involved, but I think my Marmee said it best on closing night when she said, "I'm not sad because I know I'm going to see and work with you all again." We truly created a family onstage and off and it won't end just because the play did and we may not hear from each other regularly if at all before whatever our next project together is. I'm so happy we got to create something wonderful together and learned to love each other, too.
There was a moment during one of the Saturday performances where -- as I listened to the sold-out audience laugh and applaud -- I felt like I had finally arrived. I felt like all of my other theater opportunities had built up to
this role in
this show and
this theater. It was one of the best moments of my life. I am so grateful that I have been blessed to play so many roles in so many plays that I have loved.
Who else is as lucky as I am? I have the best hobby in the world!
 |
| I am the troll in the bottom center of this photo |
I hope that the next production I do is as fun, well-done, creatively fulfilling, and successful as Little Women was. For now, I'm taking a well-deserved break; not in a hurry to do anything else in the near future -- not before Christmas, anyway. I'm just basking in the joy of my two perfect summer plays, and feeling grateful and happy.
Backstage photos that I love:
 |
| Director Leslie Giles-Smith and choreographer Joan Bowles |
 |
| The padding under my troll costume |
 |
| My wigs matched my real hair |
 |
Troll in the hole!
(Literally a box under the stage) |
 |
| Made by Tom's fan club, fitting for our characters! |
 |
| Half-dressed for microphone checks |
 |
Landon and I in 42nd Street (left) eight years ago,
and Little Women this summer.
To be fair, he has old age make-up on
in the photo on the right |
 |
I felt it was important to draw something in Amy's sketchbook.
Isn't it hideous? |
 |
| Ready to perform an Operatic Tragedy! |
 |
Cute Conner faux-proposes to me --
man, that kid can ad-lib! |
 |
| Most of the sister combinations during the run! |
.
