little women: a timeless story
The Franciscan University theatre department performed Kate Hamill’s Little Women this past weekend at Anathan Theatre.
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If you’re looking for an activity for all ages next weekend, you’re in luck. The second weekend of Little Women shows on November 17 at 7 pm, November 18 at 7 pm, and November 19 at 2 pm.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the door on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets cost $8 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and are free for religious and children under 12.
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Little Women the play is based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel, which is loosely based on her own life with her three sisters. While Hamill’s theatrical adaptation doesn’t follow Alcott’s novel exactly, she captures the essence of the story.
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Little Women follows the life of Jo March and her three beloved sisters, Meg, Beth, and Amy. Set during the Civil War, they experience not only the challenges of wartime but the trials and triumphs of daily life.
photograph of Franciscan's Little Women set
by Lucy Backman
Catherine Richtammer, a senior theatre major at Franciscan University, performs as Amy March in Franciscan’s production.
Richtammer comments, “The story of Little Women is so timeless because it continues to show relatable familial relationships and friendships. Universals in a piece make it timeless. We don't still dress the same way or have a civil war going on, but we can relate to the sorrow of having your father far away, unrequited love, and rivalries and disagreements among siblings.”
Alcott’s novel is proven to be timeless solely based on the sheer number of adaptations that have been created throughout the years. With the first Broadway play premiering in 1912, there have since been over 20 feature films, television series, Broadway plays, operas, and ballets showcasing Alcott’s original work.
Many are considered lost, but some of the stand-out adaptations are Katherine Hepburn as Jo in 1933, Winona Ryder as Jo in 1994, MASTERPIECE’s mini-series in 2018, and Greta Gerwig’s most recent feature film in 2019.
Every audience member can take something away from Little Women. Filled with wisdom, humor, and vignettes of the human experience, Little Women has something to offer mothers, fathers, sisters, wannabe brothers, and lovers all the same.
However, as it’s in the title itself, Little Women holds a special place in the hearts of women. Every woman can find a glimpse of herself embedded within the characters of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Each character is relatable in her own way: Meg’s desire to have the finer things in life, Jo’s desire to make an impact on the world, Beth’s desire for home and family, and Amy’s desire to be taken seriously as a lady.
Further, the story of these four girls’ simple life in 19th century New England resonates deeply because it is semi-autobiographical of Louisa May Alcott’s own life. Louisa grew up with three sisters: Anna, Lizzie, and May. As Jo is not particularly fond of womanhood or female friendships, neither was Louisa. So, when she was asked to write a book “for girls” she looked to the women she knew best, her family.
Not only does the thematic content of Little Women bring people together, but the theatre itself has a certain capability to create community and culture.
Catherine Richtammer states, “Theatre creates culture and community by putting us in contact with the human experience through stories. The audience is drawn together as they witness the events of the play unfold. Whether the play makes you laugh, cry, or experience any other emotion is because you witness a piece of the human condition. We find that we aren't that different from others and experience many of the same things whether it be the joys of love, the sorrow of death, envy, pride, hurt, and suffering.
Theatre brings communities together, to watch real people act out stories, stories that bring us together through a shared experience.
Take the time this weekend of November 17-19 to participate in culture, community, and the legendary story that all began with four simple sisters in Massachusetts. Come to Franciscan University’s performance of Little Women at Anathan Theatre.