Orcas Center’s Little Women: A Middle School Review

(Editor’s note: Orcas Issues thought it would be fun to hear how Little Women comes across to today’s “little women.” We are pleased to present this review by Kaya Osborn, as well as the review by Carol Kulminski, following.)

By Kaya Osborn

A wonderful story acted out by locals, Little Women was a delight to watch. From start to finish, the actors played their parts so wonderfully that I just couldn’t take my eyes off them.

Starting off with four young girls, the beginning is mostly filled with joy and humor, with just a pinch of sorrow. Their father off in the civil war, the girls chatter about their daily lives, wishing that their father were home and comparing the difficulties of their daily routine, under the watchful eyes of their dear mother Marmee and their Aunt March. Then, while they’re in the midst of their fun, a telegram comes bearing grave news. While Marmee whisks about, preparing for her trip to Washington, the girls do their best to help prepare for her departure.

In the next scene, a few years later, the story takes on a sorrowful edge. The four young girls have grown into four young women, who greet their father and mother with much joy as they return from Washington. As these four grow up, they begin to think more about their futures, and what they plan to do with them. But soon, hand in hand with the happy prospect of the beginning of a new life, a sudden death cast a dark shadow on the celebration.

Not many years later, the sisters have gone their separate ways, but reunite for a special birthday celebration. Feeling pleased with the way their lives have been turning out, the sisters, by then lovely young women, chatter about the wonderful new things that they have been doing, and the adventures they have been having. Together in their old home, one of the sister’s lives takes an exciting turn for the better.

All in all, the play was something that I really enjoyed watching, getting to see that cast working together to put on that wonderful show. From the superb acting to the wonderful music, Little Women is something that I believe I could watch again and again, and enjoy every second of it.

Kaya Osborn is a 7th-grade student at Orcas Island Middle School.