PLAYS by Meredith Bean McMath

Alcott's LITTLE WOMEN

An Original Adaptation by Meredith Bean McMath

Marmee (Diane El-Shafey) surrounded by her daughters, clockwise from left: Amy (Mandy Juraschek), Jo (Mary Triplett), Beth (Cate Oliver) and Meg (Jenny Sugden) - Photo by Jim Poston, Middleburg

Set during America's Civil War, the four March girls of Concord, Massachusetts, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, struggle with life and death and growing up, turning from "little women" to young women of courage. The story's engine, Josephine March, detests all things sentimental and wishes she could keep things just as they are - but life intervenes, and, sometimes despite herself, Jo grows up to become a writer. The charm, humor and honesty of Louisa May Alcott's characters capture the blessings and the pitfalls of "girlhood." McMath's two-act adaptation gets to the heart of the matter by ridding the play of set changes, allowing the characters' conflicts and triumphs to come shining through.

PREMIERE PERFORMANCE held Nov. 12-28, 2004, Hillsboro's Old Stone School Theatre, Hillsboro, Virginia (see JIM POSTON PHOTOS and The Loudoun Times-Mirror Review).

From Ann Keisman's 11/10/04 Loudoun Times-Mirror review, "McMath brings Alcott Story to Life":

"In her adaptation, McMath captures the two most important dramatic elements in Alcott's tale of the struggling Civil War-era March family: the power of familial love and the dynamism of the March sisters' intelligence and humor."

"With tight, well-timed scenes, McMath's retelling of the young women's struggle with the complexities of love and war keeps the audience alert and involved, letting Alcott's wit permeate the production."

2 hour performance. One set: 29 characters: 16 women and girls, 13 men and boys.

For performance rights, contact Meredith Bean McMath at meredith@storyroot.com