"Little Women" - by Louisa May Alcott as adapted by Lauren M. Gunderson - Arlington Friends of the Drama/AFD Theatre (Arlington, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: The CAST of Louisa May Alcott's "LITTLE WOMEN" as adapted by Lauren M. Gunderson now playing at AFD Theatre in Arlington, MA. through May 17, 2026. Photo Credit: Leslie Maiocca)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“"I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship."
- ("Jo March") / Louisa May Alcott and Lauren M. Gunderson
Arlington Friends of the Drama/AFD Theatre
Presents the
Lauren M. Gunderson Adaptation
of Louisa May Alcott's
"LITTLE WOMEN"
Adapted for the stage by Lauren M. Gunderson
Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott
Directed by David Warnock
Production Manager Lis Adams
Cast Includes: Tara Boudreau as "Louisa/Jo," Katrin Otterness as "Meg," Madison Adamthwaite as "Amy," Emily Deller as "Beth," Kris Reynolds as "Marmee/Aunt March," Mack Carroll as "Laurie," Patrick McCarthy as "John/Friedrich."
Performances:
May 1, 2026 through May 17, 2026
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
AFD THEATRE, 22 Academy Street, Arlington, MA. 02476
TICKETS:
For more information or tickets, contact AFD THEATRE at www.afdtheatre.org/buy-tickets or by calling the box office at # 781-646-5922 or emailing boxoffice@afdtheatre.org.
BUY TICKETS
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(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
Arlington Friends of the Drama (AFD Theatre) concludes their 2025-2026 season with a faithful new adaptation of the beloved tale of "LITTLE WOMEN."
As announced before the May 1st show by AFD Theatre director David Warnock, this staging marks the premiere of the new Lauren M. Gunderson adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott novel.
Told in a collective chronicling narrative shared by all the characters involved, the Gunderson adaptation of Alcott's "LITTLE WOMEN" focuses on the interpersonal and interconnected relationships of four young women, each coming to a pivotal crossroads in life as the country rages in a Civil War.
On a fine, simplified multi-paneled set, director Warnock has staged a beautiful telling of the story, allowing the content to move seamlessly from moment to moment, thus keeping the pacing fluid.
If you are already familiar with the iconic story of "LITTLE WOMEN" all the “bullet points” of the classic novel are here, so don’t expect to see anything new or revelatory presented as it is a fine, basically faithful re-telling.
That said, Gunderson’s narrative approach at times comes across as a bit too narrative or procedural, with the story feeling a bit stilted or academic.
Certainly not the fault of the seven-member AFD Theatre ensemble which does a fine job executing the material that would make for an outstanding school production.
(Photo: The CAST of Louisa May Alcott's "LITTLE WOMEN" as adapted by Lauren M. Gunderson now playing at AFD Theatre in Arlington, MA. through May 17, 2026. Photo Credit: Leslie Maiocca)
As seems to be customary these days, the approach taken with these latest adaptations is to show aspiring writer Jo March (Tara Boudreau) as a tough prototype of female empowerment - an assertive, persistent, combative force of nature.
Certainly a laudable goal leaning into that but it does seem that with every iteration I see Jo becomes increasingly aggressive to the point where, pretty soon, I expect to see some new adaptation where she’ll be dressed less in petticoats and more "Call of Duty:Black Ops" attire.
Usually, in the many retellings of "LITTLE WOMEN," it is inferred how Jo represents Alcott herself, but here it is outright stated as fact from the outset with numerous mentions throughout the story as to the origins of the Alcott characters.
As the rebellious Jo, Boudreau has a consummate grasp of the radical character as Jo rebels against archaic cultural standards, misogyny from publishers and defined gender roles of the day.
Jo asserts she will one day be a great autonomous thinker and writer, but she seemingly is far too dependent upon her sisters and unwilling to move beyond life within her Concord, Massachusetts home to truly become either.
But, while Jo still dominates much of the Gunderson adaptation, much of the two-act play is told by the entire AFD Theatre ensemble, which is a refreshing (if not thoroughly refined) approach.
(Photo: The CAST of Louisa May Alcott's "LITTLE WOMEN" as adapted by Lauren M. Gunderson now playing at AFD Theatre in Arlington, MA. through May 17, 2026. Photo Credit: Leslie Maiocca)
It feels as though Gunderson’s work is not yet completely refined.
The approach taken quickly becomes redundant and occasionally unnecessary. Information uttered by characters is reminiscent of the reading of stage instructions (that stuff in parentheses) from the script, or as if an audiobook were being enacted on stage or like a radio play with full costumes, sets and blocking.
Again, all the AFD Theatre performances are quite impressive.
Emily Deller beams with confidence as optimistic Beth who often serves as a bridge between Jo and her other sisters, Meg (Katrin Otterness) and Amy (Madison Adamthwaite).
Kris Reynolds gives a standout performance as the supportive and strong-willed matriarch Marmee, also performing double duty portraying her daughters’ uniformly affluent and dour Aunt March.
(Photo: The CAST of Louisa May Alcott's "LITTLE WOMEN" as adapted by Lauren M. Gunderson now playing at AFD Theatre in Arlington, MA. through May 17, 2026. Photo Credit: Leslie Maiocca)
As oldest sister Meg, Katrin Otterness shows us in fine fashion how Jo’s sibling moves away from immaturity once meeting and falling in love with John Brooke (Patrick McCarthy), a tutor for young wealthy neighbor Laurie Laurence (Mack Carroll).
Meg “blossoms” before us, transitioning from child to parent as Meg soon becomes a mother herself and her outlook, perspective and direction all change, irksome to Jo, who suddenly feels abandoned.
Both McCarthy as John Brooke and Carroll as Laurie provide pleasing portrayals of the closest male allies to the March sisters.
Carroll is completely captivating and charismatic as Laurie, usually presented as a whiny lovesick puppy but here, between Gunderson’s script and Carroll’s portrayal, he is given a little more of a backbone, especially in confrontations with Jo.
(Photo: The CAST of Louisa May Alcott's "LITTLE WOMEN" as adapted by Lauren M. Gunderson now playing at AFD Theatre in Arlington, MA. through May 17, 2026. Photo Credit: Leslie Maiocca)
McCarthy showcases great diversity as he also assumes roles of the family patriarch Mr. March (briefly but cleverly staged by Warnock) and later as Jo’s “potential suitor” Professor Bhaer, an older man who sings to Jo in German.
Madison Adamthwaite beams as youngest March sister Amy, an immature, overly-entitled spoiled brat continually seeking a more culturally refined, affluent life and will stop at nothing to obtain it.
Amy does some detestable things in the story and yet both Alcott and Gunderson have infused the character with humanity, showing how some people evolve and mature over time.
No matter how the story has been told before or is presented now at AFD Theatre, the important thing is that the saga of these amazing "LITTLE WOMEN" continues to be told.
Lauren M. Gunderson's adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's immortal classic “LITTLE WOMEN” continues at AFD Theatre through May 17th, 2026.
For more information or tickets, contact AFD Theatre at www.afdtheatre.org/buy-tickets or by calling the box office at # 781-646-5922 or emailing boxoffice@afdtheatre.org.
BUY TICKETS
Approximately two hours with one intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
Lauren Gunderson, one of America’s most-produced playwrights, has adapted Louisa May Alcott‘s classic novel "LITTLE WOMEN" for the stage.
Gunderson shared the following about the adaptation:
"'LITTLE WOMEN' was one of the very first plays I did in middle school. I played Jo, of course, and since then I’ve always had an adaptation of my own in mind. Alcott is such a radical storyteller, even as her work is often misunderstood as simply sweet Americana. I wanted this adaptation to be as spritely, robust and surprising as Alcott and her work. Louisa May Alcott’s 'LITTLE WOMEN' blends the rebelliousness of both Alcott and her semi-biographic heroine Jo into a version with all the romance, wit and brazenness of the novel but the fresh agility and intimacy of the stage” (Credit: onStage Pittsburgh).
ABOUT ARLINGTON FRIENDS OF THE DRAMA/AFD THEATRE
ARLINGTON FRIENDS OF THE DRAMA, now known as AFD THEATRE, was founded in 1923 and is one of the ten oldest continually operating community theatre groups in the country. Now located in the former St. John's Episcopal Church, which has been extensively updated and made handicap-accessible. AFD THEATRE is among the finest area playhouses for actors, directors, production designers and audiences to produce and enjoy live theatre.
About AFD THEATRE Seasons: AFD THEATRE puts on four productions: two musicals and two straight plays. AFD THEATRE holds auditions months ahead, and rehearse evenings and weekends. AFD THEATRE welcomes you to join the fun: help build sets, make costumes, do lights. Usher or sell concessions. AFD THEATRE is a community endeavor that seeks to engage all ages in the fun and exciting act of putting on a play!
22 Academy Street
Arlington, MA. 02476
# 781-646-5922
