Little Women
This poignantly-drawn play chronicles the life-changing events of the March family during a turbulent period of the Civil War. Marmee, the loving mother, and Hannah, the loyal housekeeper, steer the family through troubled waters while Father is away ministering. The four March daughters include Meg, the oldest who's determined to acquire the finer things in life; Jo, tomboyish yet passionate about her writing; Beth, a quiet musician; and Amy, the youngest, an artist who tends to put on airs. Their joys, sorrows, loves and losses are played against the backdrop of a divided country. Through it all, the sisters endure with a healthy dose of faith and the March family legendary sense of humor. Along the way, the girls learn the value of family and friendship. All the most familiar episodes from the beloved novel are here as well as less familiar material, including Amy and Laurie's courtship and Aunt March's eleventh-hour reconciliation with the family. Male roles include Laurie, a close neighbor; John Brooke, a teacher and Meg's suitor; and Professor Bhaer, a German scholar who falls in love with Jo. A beautiful, timeless drama.
Productions
Behind The Scenes
PLAYWRIGHT L. DON SWARTZ
TALKS ABOUT "LITTLE WOMEN"
Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS ADAPTATION?
A: I wanted an adaptation that spoke to today's generation.
Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OR LINE IN THE PLAY? WHY?
A: Beth's goodbye speech because it is profound without being sappy.
Q: WHEN DID YOU START WRITING?
A: In the third grade I started writing poetry.
Q: HOW DID YOU GET STARTED AS A PLAYWRIGHT?
A: I wrote a play while in the 5th grade, and my teacher let us put it on for the rest of the students.
Q: WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT WRITING PLAYS?
A: Re-writing. I love to fix things.
Q: WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF THE WRITING PROCESS?
A: Getting started. It is so easy to find excuses not to write on any given day.
Q: WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN WRITING A PLAY?
A: Clarity, pace, the audience, the length.
Q: WHERE DO YOUR CHARACTERS COME FROM? ARE THEY BASED ON PEOPLE YOU KNOW?
A: Composites of people I know.
Q: WHAT DO YOU TRY TO ACHIEVE WITH YOUR PLAYS?
A: To encourage people to re-evaluate how they feel about things. To encourage people to examine their values.
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES? WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
A: I like walking and all things horror. I collect and build monster models and have an extensive horror film and book collection. In my spare time, I read scary books and watch scary movies!