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‘Little Women’ take the stage

04-11-2008 | Family

By Katie Mills Giorgio

Prepare to be transported to the Victorian era and get wrapped up in the lives of the four March sisters during the upcoming performances of “Little Women the Musical,” presented by the City Circle Acting Company of Coralville and the Iowa Children’s Museum (ICM).

These two organizations have again teamed up—previous collaborations of City Circle and the ICM include “Seussical the Musical" and "A Year with Frog and Toad”—to present fun-filled, theatrical entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

“Little Women the Musical”—based on the classic novel by Lousia May Alcott—tells the story of the March family as they make their way in post-Civil War America.

Director Christopher Okiishi says City Circle had been hoping to branch out into young adult literature, and when the rights to this musical adaptation became available it seemed like the perfect fit.

Fran Jensen, director of marketing and development for the ICM, says museum whas thrilled when Okiishi approached them about another collaboration. “The story of ‘Little Women’ was a natural fit for the museum because we constantly strive to promote literacy,” she says.

And the show is full of other valuable family lessons, Jensen adds.

“Not only does it teach children the importance of family working together through good and bad situations, it also is a story about believing in yourself and going after what you believe in and what will make you happy in life,” she says. “It will be a great production for adults to share with their children.”

Okiishi agrees. “Families will be able to see themselves on the stage in this show,” he says. “I think audiences will respond because of the timeless themes of the story that Louisa May Alcott created: devotion to family, missing a loved one away at war, reuniting with lost loves, enduring sibling rivalry, balancing creative endeavors with real life needs. The themes are very contemporary.”

While a children’s museum may seem like an unconventional space for a musical production, City Circle feels right at home at the ICM.

“This is our fourth show at the ICM, but our first in the ‘big space,’” he says. “It's been amazing to build our set and rehearse the show right there in front of the big windows where people can watch—a wonderful way to involve the community and build interest in the show.”

That “big space” has been transformed for the production. Jensen says they have painted scenes from the show on the walls so audience members will literally be in the center of it all as the story unfolds on stage. Okiishi adds there’s even a pair of swordfights—staged by Rage Theatrics—to make the show even more exhilarating.

The cast of “Little Women” includes 40 local performers, which Okiishi calls a talented, supportive, and respectful group.

“Due to an abundance of great talent in our area, we actually double cast the show with a different set of March sisters each weekend, so those seeing it twice will see two different singing actors in the lead roles,” Okiishi says.

"Little Women the Musical" runs April 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. and April 13 and 20 at 2:30 p.m. at the Iowa Children’s Museum, 1451 Coral Ridge Avenue in Coralville. Tickets are $10 for children under ten, $15 for students and seniors, and $20 for adults. They are available at the door, in advance by calling (319) 248-1750, or at the Iowa Children’s Museum or J. Frahm Music in Iowa City.