Lisbon High School Drama will present the musical “Little Women” at Lisbon auditorium Friday, April 5, Sunday, April 7, Saturday, April 13 and Sunday April 14. The Friday and Saturday shows have start times of 7 p.m., while Sunday shows are 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and available at the door.
The musical is adapted from the Louisa May Alcott novel and focuses on the March sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy – and their experiences in Concord, Massachusetts. The musical has music by Jason Howland, with lyrics by Mindi Dickstein.
Director Grant Freeman said that he remembered seeing this show as part of the original Broadway run, with Sutton Foster in the role of Jo.
“I originally thought it was just going to be a standard adaptation, as I knew the play, but came away really loving this,” Freeman said.
Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of the novel from 2019 was one of Freeman’s favorite movies from the past decade as well.
He said that having a strong show for the mostly female led drama department was a strong reason to bring the musical to Lisbon’s stage.
“It’s a show very much about putting on a play, and it really fits the strength of our current department,” Freeman said.
Freeman said that the cast also features three incredible eighth graders who earned their roles alongside the high schoolers in the show.
One of the interesting dynamics for this show is that the part of Jo March will be played by the Silver sisters.
Allie Silver plays the elder Jo.
“I really relate to this take of the character,” Allie said.
It’s also Allie’s first time being on the stage for the department.
“I’ve always done a lot of work on stage crew and behind the scenes, and never had the chance to be acting on the stage,” Allie said. “I really like all the singing I’m able to do as part of this production.”
As a senior, Allie knows she will miss the people she has worked alongside on the stage next year.
She loves getting to share the stage with her younger sister, Kaitlyn, who plays the same character at a younger age.
The feeling is mutual for Kaitlyn, who said she was excited to see the duo would be playing the same role at different points in the character’s life. Se thinks this has only brought the sisters closer.
“I’ve really enjoyed this role,” Kaitlyn said. “She’s a character who really shares a lot of my energy and this role really shows my range as a performer.”
The hardest part of the role for Kaitlyn is not laughing or breaking character while on stage, as well as memorizing the lines.
“People should come see this show because it’s so fun,” Kaitlyn said. “We have a cast that has a real passion for dramatizing this show and it should be something that people want to see.”
“It’s a story that everyone knows,” Allie said. “This is a chance to see it in a different format with an excellent cast.”
“It’s a perfect show not only for our school community, students, but also the community of Lisbon,” Freeman said. “It’s all about the strength of families and definitely a show accessible to all ages.”
Laurie annoys Jo (Ben Jubeck and Kaitlyn Silver)