'Little Women' gets a musical twist
LAWRENCE— “Little Women – The Broadway Musical” is a more contemporary take on one of the most beloved children’s stories. This cherished, yet timeless, story of hope and finding one’s own greatness will open at the University of Kansas University Theatre on April 8.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. April 8-9 and April 15-16 as well as 2:30 p.m. April 10 and 17 at the Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall. Audio description services for the visually impaired will be provided by Audio-Reader during the April 10 matinee.
“This is a total girl power musical. It’s a story of resilience and knowing you are meant for something more,” said Amy Anders Corcoran, guest director. “Jo’s journey is such an important and reflective one for college students, who sometimes feel they are climbing uphill.”
The company includes Emily Rose Stanley, Carencro, Louisiana, senior, as Aunt March and Mrs. Kirk; Jacob Miller, Overland Park senior, as Mr. Brooke and Braxton; Sarah Van Zwoll, Overland Park sophomore, as Jo; Cale Morrow, Dodge City junior, as Laurie; Alan Martin, Falkirk, Scotland, doctoral student, as Professor Bhaer; Becca Gray, Bremerton, Washington, sophomore, as Amy; Lily Lancaster, Lawrence senior, as Beth; Adrian Brothers, Lawrence senior, as Mr. Laurence; Kate Smeltzer, Prairie Village junior, assistant stage manager; Blair Lawrence Yates, Milton Keynes, England, graduate student, assistant director; Kristen Larsen, Lindenhurst, Illinois, senior, as Meg; Bri Woods, Overland Park junior, assistant director and understudy; Leah Mazur, Cache, Oklahoma, graduate student, scenic and lighting designer; Raffaele Cipriano, Schio, Italy, doctoral student, conductor; and Jake Dutton, Wichita junior, stage manager.
Additional company members include Leslie Bennett, associate professor of theatre, as Marmee; Kelly Vogel, visiting assistant professor of theatre, costume designer; and Mark Reaney, professor of theatre, lighting designer.
Tickets for “Little Women – The Broadway Musical” are on sale now at KU ticket offices and online at www.kutheatre.com. Tickets are also available by calling the University Theatre, 785-864-3982, and the Lied Center, (785) 864-ARTS. Tickets are $20 for adults, $19 for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff, and $10 for children. KU student tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
Corcoran is a freelance director and choreographer who works on projects around the world. Most recently, her work was seen in New York City in an acclaimed site-specific production of “I Am My Own Wife” with Two Turns Theatre Company. Her favorite credits include “Smokey Joe’s Café,” “She Loves Me,” “Five Guys Named Moe,” “In Trousers,” “Bombitty of Errors,” “Circle Mirror Transformation” and “Driving Miss Daisy.” A constant advocate of new work, Corcoran is currently attached to five new musicals as the developmental director. Upcoming projects include Goodspeed Musicals New Works Festival.
The Department of Theatre is one of four departments in the School of the Arts. As part of the KU College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the School of the Arts offers fresh possibilities for collaboration between the arts and the humanities, sciences, social sciences, international and interdisciplinary studies.
For more information on the Department of Theatre visit www.theatre.ku.edu. For more information on the University Theatre, visit www.KUTheatre.com. Follow KU Theatre on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.