YOU CAN'T HELP LOVING THESE ``LITTLE WOMEN''.

Byline: Evan Henerson Theater Critic

In practically the first syllables to spring from a character's lips, we are informed that Jo March, the 20ish heroine of ``Little Woman'' is as unique a creature as any charismatic, control freak nonconformist in Civil War New England is likely to be. After which, the actress who plays Jo proceeds to spend the ensuing 2 1/2 hours living up to this billing. But we kind of knew she would. Jo March -- and, to a lesser extent, her siblings -- has been empowering generations of readers going on 140 years.

Is it any wonder, then, that in their musical adaptation of ``Little Women,'' composer Jason Howland and lyricist Mindi Dickstein should pepper their score with song titles like ``The Fire Within Me,'' ``The Most Amazing Thing,'' ``Better'' and ``Astonishing''? Or that spunky, vinegar-filled Jo should be the one to sing most of them with drums a'beating and strings a'soaring behind her? Of course not!

``Little Women,'' a modest success that, on Broadway, carried the weight of Sutton Foster's considerable charisma in the lead role, is neither astonishing, amazing nor any other March-ian superlative. Still, the touring production directed by Susan H. Schulman is a delightful parcel of girl power energy, faithful to its source material and elegantly staged. Kate Fisher, who may remind people looks-wise of Winona Ryder (filmdom's most recent Jo March), is a dynamo.

Indeed, the musical's very construction (Allan Knee is the author) seriously flatters the character; this is her story and her telling of it. The year is 1865, and a determined Jo -- too cocksure of herself to stew over her 22nd rejection notice -- reads her blood-and-guts tale to the cultured and older Professor Bhaer (Andrew Varela).

As Jo reads, the story is played lustily out on a riser behind reader and listener. Then we flash back two years to the March attic where Jo -- who her siblings believe can do anything -- is the undisputed commander of the household.

About that attic from whence all the March girl performances spring: It's wicked cool. A high V-shaped wooden edifice suggests a barn. Set designer Derek McLane makes artful use of scene defining drops, bits of furniture and even a couple of high industrial-looking staircases. Simplicity really is the order of business in ``Little Women.'' The cast numbers 10, but it feels larger.

They're pretty much all there from the book: lovely Meg (Renee Brna), jealous Amy (Gwen Hollander), sweet peacemaker Beth (Autumn Hurlburt) and matriarch Marmee (Maureen McGovern, reprising her work on Broadway). What men are present aren't given much to do except woo a March or do a good turn. The March dad, an army chaplain, never even appears.

Jo's journey from tomboy hopeful writer to wiser published author is replete with roadblocks thrown up by her very family? Yes ma'am. With various sisters marrying ahead of her, leaving her, or usurping the trip abroad that rightly belonged to her, can Jo March find her way to happiness, success and maybe even love?

Bet on it. Fisher is so rock-solid steady (possessed of a superb singing voice) that there never really is any doubt of Jo's capabilities. We see varying shades of the character as Fisher plays off a suitor (Stephen Patterson's Laurie), a cherished sister (Hurlburt's Beth) and McGovern's wise Marmee.

McGovern's is a nice bit of work as well. Playing a character who isn't really allowed to display grief or weakness, McGovern takes us powerfully -- and with great vocals -- through the character's predicament in the song ``Here Alone.'' Varela has the equivalent of a companion piece, ``How I Am,'' after he receives a letter from Jo.

Howland and Dickstein's score blends rousing anthems with contemplative ballads and even a little tuneful piano duet between Beth and the crusty next-door neighbor.

Jo, as previously noted, gets the best songs. And doesn't that just figure. Some 140 years later, the lady deservedly gets the best of everything.

Evan Henerson, [phone]

[e-mail]

LITTLE WOMEN - Three stars

Where: Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood.

When: 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday; through Aug. 13.

Tickets: $25 to $68. [phone]. www.BroadwayLa.org.

In a nutshell: The Marches set to music. Deftly done, and primarily for the ladies.

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Photo:

Autumn Hurlburt, Kate Fisher, Renee Brna and Gwen Hollander are the March sisters in ``Little Women.''