WEST LIBERTY, W. Va.- The West Liberty University Kelly Theater opened its doors on Thursday for the Hilltop Players’ rendition of Little Women, a novel by Louisa May Alcott. In this 75-minute performance, we get a look inside a beautiful story focusing on the March family and their successes and struggles. With a brilliantly talented cast and crew behind the scenes, this performance brings the classic story together with a new perspective.
Little Women, written as a civil-war era piece, follows the March sisters as they learn what it means to grow in trying circumstances with themes of love, identity, sacrifice, and gender roles prevalent throughout. Alcott provides a representation of womanhood through the different perspectives and personalities of the four sisters.
The March sisters, performed by Daisy Deaton, Willow Peyton, Rowland Dodd and Avery Hall, is what helped bring the story to life. With their storylines being the focus of the plot, we see four sisters on stage going through ups and downs together, figuring out who they are and will become. The acting by the performers is what really sells the show. The dynamic between the four is a perfect portrayal of the importance of sisterhood within the story.
The casting of each sister was perfectly chosen. Daisy Deaton is a strong lead with her portrayal of the heroine Jo March. She has an ambitious and rebellious attitude, trying to fight the time period’s perspective of what a woman should do and be.
Meg March, played by Willow Peyton, gives a beautiful performance on the emotions of finding love as a teen and being torn between what she is expected of and what she wants to do.
Roland Dodd puts on a remarkable performance as Beth March, known for her kind and gentle nature. Her musical talent on the piano is a plot point in the show, which she spent the past 8 weeks teaching herself for this role.
Amy March, performed by Avery Hall, gives a splendidly fun performance for the audience as the youngest sister who is a bit vain, but shows growth from her younger ways throughout the play.
The successful casting doesn’t stop with these sisters. We see wonderful performances from many other West Liberty Students, including Jamie Faulkiner as Marmee, Kristen Snatchko as Hannah, Liam Peklinsky as Laurie, Oliver Marks as James Laurence, Joshua Vetanze as John Brooke, Lenixx Pugh as Mr. March, and Kelsey Riley as Aunt March.
Two of these actors, Liam and Kelsey, were first-time performers in the Kelly Theater for this show.
The set-up of this play is nothing to be looked over either. Michael Aulick, the WLU Professor of Theatre and director of “Little Women,” chose to arrange the seats closer to the performers to create a limited seating section. This gives the audience a close-up, more intimate experience with the players as they perform.
This difference in stage arrangement couldn’t have been accomplished without the production’s creative team, which was made up entirely of theatre students. The team includes Joy Deaton, Jordan Derring, Hannah Ellis, Aidan Koscol, and Morgan Tusing.
This play is not something you want to miss with wonderfully done sets, an intimate viewing experience, and charismatic performances.
For those who couldn’t make it opening night, additional performances will be held March 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m., and there will be a matinee showing on Sunday, March 9 at 3:00 p.m..
