Long Sees ‘Little Women’ as Timely Tale for Young, Old

The Christmas setting in Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” makes it a favorite theatrical holiday offering, but for Shelley Long, who will play independent Jo March in California Artists Radio Theatre’s live production at the Cinegrill on Dec. 20-21, Alcott’s classic is much more.

“Having read it now as an adult, it certainly has something to say to young people,” the former “Cheers” star said, “but, boy, it has some great stuff to say to parents.”

She noted that Jo’s family had to struggle, “but there were rewards for their efforts and in their strong belief in God, and in the valuing of family--the parents’ valuing of their children and the children’s valuing of the parents. It’s really a very modern story.”

The Civil War-era tale about the trials and tribulations of the March family resonates deeply for Long because of her own challenge to be “the best parent I can be” to her 12-year-old daughter.

The in-person performance will be broadcast on Christmas Eve during an 11-hour block of CART programming beginning at noon on KPFK-FM (90.7). It is one of several Long has done with CART, a company made up of noted actors of radio, stage and screen, headed by artistic director Peggy Webber, who wrote and will direct the Alcott adaptation.

The 90-minute live show, performed like an old-style radio play, complete with sound effects, “begins on one Christmas and ends on another Christmas,” Webber said. “It ends on a happy note after Father comes home and Jo has sold her first story. Beth has just been through a terrible illness but is there to enjoy the holiday.”

Webber is saving the second part of Alcott’s classic for a later production. “I didn’t want to cut short the lovely philosophy and the old-fashioned wisdom that is there,” she said. “I’ve tried to be true to the sweetness, their moral beliefs. It’s a noble book.”

Joining Long are Nancy Cartwright as Beth-- in a break from her regular job as the voice of Bart Simpson--Beverly Garland as Marmee and John Astin as Father. William Windom plays Mr. Lawrence, Kathleen Freeman is Aunt March, Janet Waldo plays Amy, Ashby Adams is Laurie, and Bairbre Dowling and Thomas MacGreevy, both of Ireland’s Abbey Theatre, are Meg and John.

Also featured are longtime TV and radio announcer John Harlan, pianist Kevin Bassinson, who plays for Beth, and veteran sound effects artist Charlie Elgas.

Long said she was delighted when Webber asked her to be part of “Little Women.”

“Doing the performances, the research, the rehearsals and being part of a theatrical situation that involves a live audience is really wonderful, and if it gives something at a second, third or fourth occasion, as it does for radio, that’s just gravy to me.”

Although most CART shows are adult-oriented, for this holiday show, parents and grandparents are encouraged to bring children ages 8 to 12 free of charge.

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* “Little Women,” Cinegrill, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Dec. 20-21, 1:30 p.m., $15; ages 8 to 12, free. Refreshments, $4. (213) 683-3422.