Eastbayri.com

The holidays are upon us — ’tis the season of giving and sharing. Now playing at 2nd Story Theatre in Warren is a very special gift to the community, “Little Women,” Louisa May Alcott’s beloved tale of four sisters embarking upon life’s journey.

The director is Bob Colonna, who adapted the story for the stage, and the results are sheer sweetness. Under his guidance this version is nothing less than a good old-fashioned heart-warmer and the delights it offers are both subtle and satisfying.

It’s no easy feat to adapt a novel for the stage, especially a story so steeped into our collective consciousness; the pleasure one derives from reading and remembrance does not always translate. But there is a certain roughhewn magic at work in this production as Mr. Colonna uses the concept of memory itself to the show’s advantage.

Our play takes place, and form, at a backstage setting seemingly as a troupe of Victorian players are preparing to perform the play. At the outset we see these little women assembled around an old steamer trunk. As they engage each other it’s as if they’re pulling together the pieces of their lives as easily as one might pull old clothes from the trunk, creating their little world from sawdust and thin air.

Mr. Colonna is well aided in this conjuring trick by the extraordinary cast of young people he’s assembled. Two casts of children perform on alternate nights — the blue cast and the gray cast. The blue cast performed at the preview I attended and the children were absolutely delightful. Each were adept at holding their own in the presence of more seasoned performers and, more importantly, creating vivid and believable characters, speaking their lines truthfully, earnestly and without a trace of artifice.

This is especially true of Tiverton’s Patricia Kinnane, who portrays Young Amy. An absolute natural on stage, her vivid presence made for an utterly believable transition for the character’s portrayal by the vivacious Valerie Westgate in act two; one could readily believe that each actress were aspects of the same person. And, yes, she’s the younger sister of 2nd Story actor Evan Kinnane, who makes for a stalwart and dashing suitor as Young Laurie. This is a family that possesses some seriously talented genes!

Sara D’Angelos offers up a strong and genuine portrayal as Young Jo and seems wise beyond her years; there’s an inner strength that seems to radiate from this young actress. Sophie Cram creates a true sense of self-sacrifice as Young Meg and Kimberly Dalton is a heartbreaker portraying Young Beth.

The gray cast features Ellie Ryan as Young Meg, Peyton Buteau as Young Laurie and Molly Coogan as Young Beth, all from Barrington; Read Ruddick of Warren as Young Amy; and Kathryn Woods of Portsmouth as Young Jo.

Born to play writer

Watching lovingly over the action and providing occasional narration is the presence of our story’s author, Louisa May Alcott, portrayed by Bristol native Elise Arsenault. Ms. Arsenault seems born to play the writer simply because every little look from her speaks volumes. Throughout the show the hopes and fears of her young characters are subtly and compellingly displayed upon her features and she constantly seems to be as thoroughly invested in their young lives as a benevolent guardian angel.

Though not that much older than the little women on stage, Ms. Arsenault possesses a résumé that belies her years. She was a senior at Mt. Hope High School when 2nd Story opened its doors in Warren 10 years ago. Since then she’s earned a BA in interdisciplinary studies, music/theater, from George Mason University, has performed in regional theaters in the D.C. area, improv theaters in New York City and toured around the country as an actor/director with the Missoula Children’s Theater.

Ms. Arsenault has been performing at 2nd Story since 2010 and spent this past summer in Oxford with the British/American Drama Academy. I’m frankly exhausted just writing about her.

In addition to acting in “Little Women,” she’s serving as assistant director for the children in the show. Recently we chatted about “Little Women” and spoke about all things Alcott. It must be fun, I asked, to combine her two passions — teaching and acting — in the show.

“It is rewarding to work as both a teacher and performer,” Ms. Arsenault replied. “In fact, my first gig out of college was tour actor and director with the Missoula Children’s Theatre. As part of a two-person team I would direct and perform with 50 to 60 children at schools in Anytown USA. This production is the closest experience I’ve had to that. I love narrating ‘Little Women’ as Louisa because on stage I receive the energy from the young actors and throw that ball right back to them. I find that since I’ve become a teacher I’m a better performer. My parents are both lifelong educators and I’ve learned a ton from them.”

How long, I wondered, has she wanted to be an actor?

“At least since the age of 5,” she said. “I remember being at elementary school explaining to my mom that I needed to get an agent, audition for commercials, etc. Her wise advice was that I should go to college first; then I could pursue whatever I liked. But after playing Alice in a fifth-grade production of ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ there was no turning back.”

Actors have room to explore

She talked about working with Rhode Island theater legend Bob Colonna.

“What I love most about Bob,” said Ms. Arsenault, “is that he gives actors the freedom to explore. Bob has a great talent for speaking directly to the audience as a performer, and as a director he has challenged us to channel that ability. We are lucky to have 2nd Story so close to home and I love that I have been challenged by both Bob Colonna and Ed Shea to find my voice and grow as a performer. Storytelling is at the heart of our production and I think that audiences will be in for a treat.”

Indeed. Christmas won’t be Christmas without presents, as Jo grumbles in the very first line of the story, but in the East Bay we have a real gift in the presence of Elise Arsenault as Louisa May Alcott and of all the talented youngster who have brought the March sisters to such vibrant life.

‘Little Women’

WHERE: 2nd Story Theatre, 28 Market St., Warren

WHEN: Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.; through Dec. 11

COST: $30 general, $25 for people under 21; $20 for previews

MORE INFO: 401/247-4200