See ‘Little Women’ musical in Renton before it’s too late
Published 1:00 pm Wednesday, September 17, 2025
“Little Women the Broadway Musical,” based on the beloved Louisa May Alcott novel of the late 1860s, first made its Broadway debut in 2005 — and 20 years later, the March sisters have made their way to Renton.
In a production run that ends Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Renton Civic Theatre, this charming show is certainly one to see.
While not a perfect musical as the grand story of Jo March (played by Sonja Rose Usher) and her family is condensed in ways that may prickle hardcore “Little Women” fans (blame the original book by Allan Knee), the Renton Civic Theatre version with its stellar cast, effective set design, enchanting live music and fine direction by Taylor Davis makes for a wonderful time at the theater.
This version of the story opens with the passionate and independent Jo March, trying to make it as a writer in New York as she tells one of her rejected stories to her eventual love interest Professor Bhaer (Sebastian Floyd Hulburt). His honest opinion leads her to reminisce about her family, wondering if her stories were better when she was living back home with Marmee (Lisa Stromme Warren), Father (who is completely absent from the play) and her sisters Meg (Rachael Spencer), Beth (Kaira Hensler) and Amy (Kyla Marshall).
For the rest of the show, we’re transported to the March house and touch on the highlights of novel, like Jo writing a play, the sisters meeting Laurie (Robin Langenhop), Meg meeting her future husband Mr. John Brook (Rayan Atallah), Amy burning Jo’s story, Aunt March (Dawn Brazel) taking Amy to Europe, Beth getting scarlet fever and so on.
There is so much to the original story that cannot possibly fit into a two-act show, and that compression combined with a slightly stilted pace hinders the story. However, there are enough strengths within the other elements that more than make up for it. Starting with the simple but effective staging, which makes great use of the immersive space that a stage offers, allowing us to be transported to the simple March home (and beyond).
The best part of the show is undoubtedly the performances, as the entire cast (many of whom played double roles and make their RCT debuts with “Little Women”) breathe fresh life into the material and bring their own unique takes on the characters, with the major standouts being Hensler, whose effortless portrayal as sweet Beth brings a real depth to the character that is absent in the original novel, and Langenhop, who plays a more animated, humorous Laurie. Marshall’s Amy, which is always the most difficult portrayal, is another highlight as she presents a stark contrast between a young, bratty Amy and an adult, sophisticated Amy.
The musical is peppered with comedy, thanks to the cast’s sense of timing (particularly Brazel, Warren and Hulburt) and the untethered talent of Usher as our heroine, Jo. Usher’s take on Jo is more forceful than what audiences might be used to, but her vocals are a triumph, bringing Jo’s fiery will to the forefront with each of her songs, especially “Astonishing” and the aptly titled “The Fire Within Me.”
Other music highlights include Eric Hartley as Mr. Laurence as he sang “Off to Massachusetts” with Beth, which softens the grumpy character’s demeanor, strengthens the relationship between the two and highlights the vocal acuity of both performers.
Acceptance of change and the unbridled, messy beauty of sisterhood are the themes that ring throughout the show, making it a worthy choice for entertainment. Laugh, cry and feel the timelessness of these characters before the show’s closing night.
For tickets to see “Little Women” in Renton, visit rentoncivictheatre.org. Located at 507 South 3rd Street, the remaining 2025 RCT season includes “Dracula” from Oct. 17 to Nov. 2 and “Annie” from Dec. 5 – 21.
