For an acting class that meets only every other day, with equal number of boys and girls, this play was a challenge in that the main roles are all female, and all the actors had to do so much of the work on their own.
We are proud to bring this American classic to the stage. The story of Little Women tells about the lives of the members of one family. G. K. Chesterton compares Louisa May Alcott with Jane Austen in saying that each saw the most important events of life happening in odd situations, a proposal of marriage in the rain with umbrella getting in the way of a slipping package, for example. But these odd events are exactly what is true to life.
Chesterton also noted that whereas men have the capacity to fill up their days doing nothing, women seem to fill up their days doing something. Meg is the homemaker, Jo is the amibitious writer, Beth plays the piano and nurses the Hummel child, and Amy paints. They all put on plays from the novels they've read, and turn carpets into blankets for their men who are fighting for the Union in the Civil War.
We have added to this version of the play two scenes from the Civil War. At the beginning of Act I, the Union troops are resting before moving out to engage the Confederate soldiers at the Battle of Chattanooga on November 23-25. Father is in the army at this time, and his family in Concord, Massachusetts miss him in the family circle. Before Act II, the Union troops bury a comrade who has fallen during Sherman's march to the sea.
Thank you for coming; please enjoy this view of life through the eyes of four Little Women.
Sister Mary Brigid Burnham, O. P.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks go to the Work Study Contribute interns, Natalie, Leah, and Jana who helped with the production, the lights, and acting coach.
Thanks to each member of the crew, especially Jacob and Bryan, who built, repaired and created many pieces of the set.
Hearty gratitude to Mr. O'Connor and his art students for painting the set.
Thanks to Laura Kleber for "Amy's Sketch" on the front cover of this playbill, and to Diego Flamenco for the Logo art on the back cover.
Thank you, actors, for your talent, work and effort in telling this story.
Thanks to the parents who donated time, transportation and props for the show.
A very heartfelt thanks to Marilyn and Fred Borrell and to Maria Ferrell for coordinating the reception.
Merci beaucoup to all volunteers.
Finally, great thanks to Mr. Keane and the theater tech class who handled so many of the details of the production.
