Coe-Brown Theatre to Perform the Musical ‘Little Women’

The cast of “Little Women” rehearsing as an ensemble.

The cast of “Little Women” rehearsing as an ensemble. Courtesy of Judy Loto

Published: 11-07-2023 5:57 PM

On Nov. 10 and 11, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy’s renowned theatre program will present “Little Women.”

Originally written by Louisa May Alcott in 1868, the story has remained a cultural mainstay in literary and cinematic realms through modern times. Resonating with people from all walks of life, the story contemplates love and loss, triumph and failure, and tackles the push and pull of old and new traditions as it follows the story of the March siblings as they grow up and venture beyond the familiarity of their childhood home. The story of these little women shows us that above all, family is the glue that binds this unpredictable life together into an altogether richer and more complex fabric than it would be otherwise.

CBNA faculty member and production director Jennifer Moynihan has a personal connection with this story, “I remember reading about Jo March and her sisters when I was 7, so desperately clinging to the hope that I could have the same determination with my life’s passion as Jo did. As I grew older I identified with different aspects of Jo’s journey from finding independence to dealing with the heartbreak of loss. While Jo may be our central character, her story is not complete without her dear sisters, the steadfast love of Marmee, Laurie and his friendship, and all of the other characters we meet on her journey.”

The cast and crew of this production are indeed a complex fabric, rich in both personalities and talent, and everyone has something that drew them to this group of actors who have become family.

Claire Burbank, a senior, plays Jo March. She handles the intense workload of a lead part and academic obligations with grace and a fierce dedication to the company and the play.

“Burbank’s guiding strength is a beacon of light for all the others onstage and they are rising to the same level of dedication that she exudes,” Moynihan said. “It has been so rewarding to see the students challenging themselves in such a demanding process. I am so proud of all they have accomplished already and can’t wait to see how much more they bring to the process in the coming weeks.”

Putting on a production of this complexity is rarely simple, and Moynihan is quick to give credit where credit is due. “This show is challenging in many different ways. The music is complex. The set changes, lighting, and sound elements are all deeply interwoven into the essential elements of this show. “We have been so lucky to have an incredible stage manager in Athena Moore ’24 and assistant stage manager in Micah Linskey ’24, who have really been the driving force of making so much of the magic come to life in this imagined world of Concord, Massachusetts in the 1860s,” Moynihan said. “Kaitlyn Linskey ‘26 has been leading the costume charge for our production and has done lots of time period research to breathe life into the outfits you will see on the stage.”

Performances will take place Nov. 10 and Nov. 11 at 7 p.m., with a matinee performance on Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. Mobile tickets are available online now via our virtual ticketing program at coebrown.org Tickets will also be available for cash purchase one hour before curtain on the day of the performances. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $10 for students/seniors. This show is appropriate for kids of all ages.

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