It’s rare to find scenes in theatre where two men, longtime friends, show such raw emotion during a time of great sorrow and grief. Bragg and Carpenter are stunning actors who take the fluid blocking of Elvington’s direction to a new level creating almost the suspension of time, showing an astounding mastery of their craft. I feel that this scene alone makes it worth the price of a ticket.

To experience Téa Doherty’s evolution of Jo March was nothing short of astonishing! Doherty took on this marathon of a role that has given even the most seasoned of professionals a run for their money and completely knocked it out of the park. She never wavered in her vocal stamina and incredible stage presence. She is truly a star and was born to play this Jo.

From the charismatic use of a classic Greek chorus to women wielding frying pans and spatulas in order to take over the treasury, if you are in need of a good laugh, this is the production for you! Robert M. Coles’ adaptation is well done, tastefully honoring Aristophanes’ original content while adding a modern flare that allows audiences to connect in new ways to a timeless story.

Every audience member was treated to different aspects of the various tableaus of this show depending on where they were sitting. I wish that I had the time to see this production again just so that I could sit in a different section of the audience each time to experience the magic from new angles.

On a chilly night in January, this production was a wonderful balm to the soul.

If the excellence and attention to detail that Mr. Weidman and his creative team have given to this debut production is any indication of what’s to come, I am beyond excited by what will be next for The Next Chapter Actors.