LITTLE WOMEN

An extensive cast delivers this delightful adaptation in a theatrical style, giving listeners the sensation of being at a play. The scenes are enhanced by Laura Dern's solid background narration. The performances of the talented actors are somewhat marred: The four sisters' voices are too mature in the first half of the story when the girls are young, and throughout their voices are indistinguishable in scenes with multiple sisters. Lauren Fortgang is impressive as Jo, feisty and verbose, and Suzanne Toren's mature voice portrays Marmee with maternal warmth. Stephen Bel Davies, though suitably mischievous as Laurie, also sounds too old in the first half of the production. Overall this audio play is entertaining, though not an exact reproduction of the classic story. N.M.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2020]