Live performance of “Little Women” at Knoxville Children’s Theatre

KNOXVILLE — Knoxville Children’s Theatre will present a live stage adaptation of the beloved children’s novel Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott. The play will be performed December 6 through 21: Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 1 PM and 5 PM, and Sundays at 3 PM.

Little Women is one of the most widely read novels of all time and named one of the “Top 100 Books for Children” by the National Education Association.

As another Christmas arrives with Mr. March still off at the war front, Mrs. March’s daughters are growing up to be strikingly different from each other. Jo is willful, impulsive, and tempermental, whereas Beth is humble and selfless. Meg does not see a future outside her hometown, whereas Amy dreams of Europe. Jo and Laurence are inseparable in their youth, but which of the “Little Women” will he marry? And if “Laurie” is too conventional for Jo, what kind of man will she ever end up with? Ripe with life lessons about the change from child into young adult, Little Women is a timeless American classic.

The play is performed by 25 talented young actors, from ages 10 to 17. Since the play takes place over the course of many years, three of the March sisters are each played by two actors, enabling the girls to age during the course of the play. Madison Austin plays Young Jo, while Caroline Dyer plays her older counterpart. Jaden Lily Branson plays the Younger Amy, and Callie Dowd plays Older Amy. Young Beth is played by Lauren Cook, and Juliana Pulsinelli plays Older Beth. Likewise, the girls’ friend Laurence is split into two incarnations; Boone Sommers plays the younger version, and Ethan Turbyfill plays the older. Marianne Dodson plays the oldest March sister Meg.

The rest of the cast features Abigayle DeBusk, Naama Friedman, Nichol Friedman, Jake Green, Minnie Harrigan, Anna Keim, Elena Martin, Julianna Pratt, Eva Rodgers, Leigh Shields, Charlotte Stark, Gabby Swenson, Zak Terry, Thomas-Allen Tison, Rachel Van Doren, and Levi Vinsant. Six actors are making their KCT debut.

The play is directed by Ashlee Latimer, who appeared as a child actor in KCT’s production of Little Women in 2008. Roy de la Rosa is the Assistant Director. Wade Austin provides the scenic design, and Rose Bolton will design and build the costumes. The play’s stage manager is Lydia Harrison.

 For reservations, call (865) 208-3677 or e-mail tickets@childrenstheatreknoxville.com. The theatre is located at 109 E. Churchwell Avenue; corner of Central & Churchwell Aves; across from Star Sales. For more information on Children’s Theatre, please visit www.childrenstheatreknoxville.com.

Published December 1, 2013