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Little Women: The Broadway Musical at BGSU Firelands College Theatre – Book by Allan Knee, Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, and Music by Jason Howland
April 1, 2013 | Leave a Comment
Huron, Ohio – Bowling Green State University Firelands College Theatre continues its 45th season with the presentation of “Little Women: The Broadway Musical”, Book by Allan Knee, Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, and Music by Jason Howland, directed by Grechen Lynne Wingerter, with musical direction by Michael Shirtz and Ryan Patten, and choreography by Pamela Shirtz.
Based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic 1869 semi-autobiographical novel, this musical adventure focuses on the four March sisters — brassy, tomboy-like, aspiring writer Jo, romantic Meg, pretentious Amy, and kind-hearted Beth — and their beloved Marmee, at home in Concord, Massachusetts while the family patriarch is away serving as a Union Army chaplain during the Civil War. Interspersed with the episodes in which their lives unfold, are several recreations of the melodramatic short stories Jo writes in her family attic hideaway.
The Broadway production opened at the Virginia Theatre on January 23, 2005, and closed on May 22, 2005, after 137 performances. It was directed by Susan H. Schulman, with choreography by Michael Lichtefeld, set design by Derek McLane, costume design by Catherine Zuber, and lighting design by Kenneth Posner.
The Broadway cast included Sutton Foster as Jo, Maureen McGovern as Marmee, and John Hickok as Professor Bhaer. The production received the following nominations: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical (Foster), Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Foster), Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (McGovern), Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations.
The Firelands College Theatre ensemble cast includes BGSU Firelands students as well as local area students and adult residents. Rachel McLaughlin, Huron, plays Jo; Morgan Phares, Sandusky, plays Meg; Abby McLaughlin, Huron, plays Amy; MacKenzie Kightlinger, Oak Harbor, plays Beth; Brennan Wozniak, Sandusky, plays Laurie; Salli Feick, Bellevue, plays Marmee; Cody Noon, Milan, plays Professor Bhaer; Marilyn Forster, Huron, plays Aunt March; Jarod Mariani, Sandusky, plays Mr. Brooke; and David Gilmore, North Fairfield, plays Mr. Laurence.
Technical direction is by David Gilmore and additional production staff includes Amy Ellis, Sandusky, as costume coordinator; Bryanna Bauman, Huron, as stage manager; and Chris Pejoro, Bellevue, and Lynze Daugherty, Sandusky, as assistant stage managers.
Performances are scheduled for April 11, 12, and 13 at 7:30 p.m. and for April 13 & April 14 at 2 p.m. in BGSU Firelands’ McBride Auditorium.
The box office (419-433-5560, ext. 2-0747 or 419-372-0747) opens at 1 p.m. on April 8, and is open from 1-7 p.m. daily thereafter. Regular admissions are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and BGSU Firelands faculty/staff, $5 for children under 17, and $4 for BGSU Firelands students. Groups of 15 or more are $8 per person.
“Little Women” is suitable for all ages including families with children ages 6 and up.
For more information contact Wingerter at 419-372-0868.
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