This year, freshmen and sophomores are putting on a play called “Women.” The play takes a comical spin on the classic novel “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott. The plot involves most of the female characters living in modern-day times, while the male characters live in the 18th century.
After having a conversation with one of the directors of the play, Laura Jewell, one can conclude that a lot of thought has gone into its production. “When I was thinking about plays for the freshman/sophomore play, I always wanted to involve as many students as possible,” said Jewell, and she did exactly that.
The original novel has many different characters and shows them in various stages of life. Some of the characters include Jo, Amy, Meg, and Beth. The story follows the four sisters and their struggles during the Civil War era. It shows the monetary struggles of life as well as the moral choices one must make throughout their own.
The history behind the play, “Women,” is very important to understanding the performance and its significance. “I believe if Louisa May Alcott were alive today, she would have found affinity with the nonbinary community,” stated Jewell.
Louisa May Alcott was known to be a very modern woman for her time. Unlike many women around her, she remained unmarried. Additionally, she was a feminist and an abolitionist.
This play, different from many comedies, manages to satirize the novel “Little Women” in a less critical way.
“I think the play does a really good job at poking fun at the original book of ‘Little Women’ while also showing a deep love for it,” shared Jewell. The play truly is unique in this way and seems to have a distinctly individualistic approach to comedy.
Overall, “Women” offers a fresh perspective on a classic by creating a modern take on an older story, and though old, the themes of the play, such as the struggle for independence and the importance of relationships, are still relevant today. The dedication of the cast and crew has helped build the play into a meaningful production that encourages audiences to reflect on both the past and the present. Come and watch the 7:30 PM performance on February 5th, 6th and 7th at ETHS in the Little Theatre.
