Uneven Update of ‘Little Women’

The Candlefish Theatre Company, well regarded for its professional work for adult audiences, has put a great deal of care into giving its family production of “Little Women” a picture-perfect Victorian setting.

A visual feel for time and place is captured by co-directors Bo Crowell and Blake Steury, who also designed the set, and by Michael Pacciorini, who designed the wonderful, varied period costumes.

Not all the performances measure up, however, and adapter John D. Ravold’s third act is downright bumpy.

It includes a jumbled compression of events and awkward liberties with the original that include Marmee’s pep-talk references to Alexander Graham Bell and Edward Morse and such jarring anachronisms of speech as “Oh, get out” as a jocular expression of disbelief and Meg’s slangy “What’s up?” as she enters a room.

This otherwise mostly serviceable production of Louisa May Alcott’s classic finds its high points in its design and in notable performances by Nathan Steury as impetuous Laurie, Wendy Obstler as the good and fragile Beth and especially Jennifer Johnson as spirited Jo.

Johnson makes everyone’s favorite March family member come alive, giving dimension to Jo’s spirited tomboyishness and her eventual tempering by loss, responsibility and time. She communicates Jo’s creative passion as well as her tenderness, and she’s a hoot as Jo directs her sisters in the swashbuckling Christmas play she’s written, while portraying both villain and hero.

Dawn Worrall as self-satisfied Amy has winning moments, too, but Ossi Zer-ilan’s lovely Meg, Mary Schafer’s robust Marmee, Esther Richman’s Aunt March, Roy Samuelson’s Brooke and Jack Thomas’ Mr. March only skim the surface.

Worse, Thomas’ frequent and sly-sounding half-laugh makes Papa March seem peculiarly unsavory, an unintentional and highly unusual interpretation of the role.

* “Little Women,” Candlefish Theatre, 1540 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, Fridays-Saturdays,8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. for an indefinite run. $12-$15. (213) 460-2080. Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes.

Happily Ever After: Serendipity Theatre Company’s holiday offering is a shoestring production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” and although there’s a one-dimensionality to the performances by most of the young cast members, the show, nicely accompanied by pianist David Stahl, is surprisingly well sung.

Dorie Hamby gingerly inhabits her role as Cinderella, but she’s not tentative when it comes to delivering vocally. Her sweet, trained soprano is just right. Justin Cowden isn’t as assured in his solos, but holds his own when he warms up.

Meanwhile, adult actors Marie Conley as Stepmother, Patti Burgess as the Queen and AnnaLisa Erickson as Fairy Godmother contribute professional polish, and youth actor Ashley Hendra adds some comic spark as stepsister Portia.

The very modest production is capably directed by Mark Conley.

* “Cinderella,” Serendipity Theatre Co., Burbank Little Theatre, George Izay Park, 1100 W. Clark St., Burbank, Saturdays, 1 p.m.; Sundays, 1 and 4 p.m. through Dec. 21. Ages 4 and up only. $6-$12. (818) 557-0505, Ext. 2. Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes.

Read ‘n’ Play: Storyopolis’ daylong Author Extravaganza event on Saturday features music with Kid’n Together, juggling and clowning with the Jumbo Shrimp Circus, story time and book signings with such children’s authors as singer Debby Boone (“Night Lights”), Diane Greenseid (“When Aunt Lena Did the Rhumba”) and Gerald McDermott (“Musicians of the Sun”).

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* Storyopolis Author Extravaganza, Storyopolis, 116 N. Robertson Blvd., Plaza A, Los Angeles, Saturday, 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.: Kid’n Together; 12:30 and 3:30 p.m.: Jumbo Shrimp Circus; 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.: story times. Free. (310) 358-2500.