Little Women, Big Voices
Valley Youth Theatre presents Little Women, the Broadway Musical, on its own stage downtown Phoenix through April 22.
Stephanie Larson (Meg), Kendra Richards (Amy),
Vincent Pugliese (Laurie), Sarah Pansing (Beth) and Lily Castle (Jo).
PHOTO BY DURANT PHOTOGRAPHY
Starring 18 local young people, ages 14 to 18, and directed by Bobb Cooper, VYT’s producing artistic director, the story is based on Louisa May Alcott’s timeless 1869 semi-autobiographical novel, long admired for its humor, heartache and invaluable life lessons. The book of the musical is by Allan Knee, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and music by Jason Howland.
Little Women follows the lives of the four March sisters – aspiring writer Jo, romantic Meg, pretentious Amy and kind-hearted Beth – and chronicles their personal discoveries growing up in Civil War America.
“This story about love and interpersonal relationships really resonates with the challenges, messages and hopefulness of young people today,” says Cooper.
“As Jo learns to find her voice and stand up for what she believes in, I can’t help but make comparisons to the powerful young voices we are hearing in the news today. I think it’s wonderful how this tale continues to be relevant – and how it has continued to create a meaningful dialogue about women, their hopes and fears, their convictions and compassion, and their fierce, relentless tenacity.”
This production stars Tatum Dial as Marmee, Lily Castle as Jo, Sarah Pansing as Beth, Stephanie Larson as Meg, Kendra Richards as Amy, and Vincent Pugliese as Laurie.
The show is directed by Cooper with the help of Tristan Peterson-Steinert, musical director; Karol Cooper, costume designer; Dori Brown, scenic designer; and Joycelin Jacobs, production stage manager.
Little Women, the Broadway Musical
Through April 22
Valley Youth Theatre, 525 N. First St., Phoenix
For more information or purchase tickets, visit vyt.com.
