Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Cecilia McAfee as Aunt March listens as Julia Glunt, portraying Jo March, petitions to become her aunt's travel companion during a recent rehearsal of "Little Women" at ENMU.
It's been 4 1/2 years since a musical was performed on the Mainstage at the University Theatre Center at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales.
That changes this week with the opening of the Broadway musical version of Louisa May Alcott's beloved classic, "Little Women."
I sat in on a rehearsal last weekend and visited with Director Travis Sherwood while the cast and crew worked out the glitches that come with individually microphoning 22 performers.
"The rehearsal process for this production has truly been a joy," Sherwood said of the joint production of Eastern's Department of Music and Department of Theatre and Digital Filmmaking. "The student actors returned from the winter break extremely well-prepared and motivated."
Four performances are scheduled, with curtain times set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday.
For those interested in some historical background on the novel and why the story has remained popular for more than 150 years, Linda Sumption of Eastern's Department of Languages and Literature will be doing a short presentation beginning 30 minutes ahead of the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday performances.
"There have been many editions and versions of the novel, including television, film, and drama," Sumption said, "It's interesting to consider some questions about why it has had such a long and varied life in our culture."
Sherwood said that people like me who have read the original novel enough times to know it by heart (yes, it's true) should be prepared for a few changes.
"The musical is true to the book with the main plot points, yes," he clarified, "but the order in which you experience them, no. They are taking a very large book and condensing it down to a two-hour production."
A plum for music theater fans will be hearing one of the largest pit orchestras that has been assembled for a Mainstage production.
Thirteen faculty members and students will be on keyboard, brass, woodwinds, percussion, and double bass. Music Director Greg Gallagher said even his mother-in-law was recruited for the production - she'll be playing violin.
The cast includes local faces: Jose Alvarado of Clovis plays John Brooke; and Portales High School graduates Liam Hurley and Rafael Salcido-Reyes will perform the roles of the March family's gruff neighbor, Mr. Laurence, and his grandson, Laurie, respectively.
Seven others involved in the show, including the performers are who double cast in the lead role of Jo March, are students who may be found on Sundays singing in Clovis and Portales church choirs.
Folks from Portales' First United Methodist Church may opt for the Thursday and Saturday performances when they can see their Jo portrayed by Julia Glunt, while the members of First Baptist Church across the street might elect to attend Friday and Sunday to see their Jo, Chandlar Head.
Cecilia McAfee, who plays Aunt March, is a regular in the choir at FUMC-Clovis. Rebekah Baggerly who plays Amy, sings at FBC in Portales, as does Morgyn Gallegos, who plays the Hag and is in the ensemble.
Dominique Barrera and Lazaro Perez both sing at FUMC-Portales. Barrera is the assistant stage manager for the production, while Perez is Professor Bhaer.
Former longtime Portales High School theater teacher Bill Strong came on contract with a reported army of volunteers to build a boatload of period costumes for the cast, including at least 15 Civil War era dresses for members of the March family and other cast members.
Be watching for fun touches. For instance, Strong said he chose a distinct color for each March sister. Jo always appears in rust, Meg is in pink, Beth is in lavender, and Amy is in blue. Marmee's skirt has panels in each of those colors to represent her daughters.
Sherwood said they've also incorporated other elements that are not in the script of the musical but will be familiar to "Little Women" aficionados, such as Beth's love for an old doll that she repairs throughout the show and Amy's passion for art.
If you are even marginally familiar with the story, you are correct to assume it is family friendly.
"No cursing ... no violence ... some kissing," Sherwood ticks off the list. "Really small children might get disinterested, but I think middle school on up will find it entertaining."
Tickets may be reserved by calling 575-562-2711 and will likely be available at the door for all performances. General admission is $10; you can make it in for $7 if you are 60 or older or in the military. ENMU students get a free pass as long as they remember to bring their ID.
A promise from the March sisters in the first act: "Before we're done, the crowd will roar. We'll make their spirits soar!"
Betty Williamson wants to be Jo March in her next life. Reach her at:
