Sweet Briar College will present its fall musical, “Little Women,” Oct. 16 through 19 in Murchison Lane Auditorium at Babcock Fine Arts Center. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19.

“Little Women” seems calculated to please on a campus of women, but director William Kershner thinks the show has a broader appeal. “It’s a message that will resonate with people,” he said, “and I don’t actually think it will resonate only with women.”

Citing the story’s “universal” appeal, he added, “The message of the play is almost modern — you need to figure out what kind of person you are.”

As in Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel, the musical features four women making that journey. The March sisters — Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy — are played by Mary Susan Sinclair-Kuenning ’09, Sarah Schofield ’11, Katy Johnstone ’10 and Mary Massie ’10.

SBC voice instructor Marcia Thom plays Marmee, and local actors Jared Anderson, Albert Carter, Mark Foreman and Dustin Williams round out the cast. Kershner has nothing but praise for his ensemble. “We have a very strong cast,” he said.

His enthusiasm is shared by Sinclair-Kuenning. “The cast is so much like the four sisters,” she said. Calling her own role “a little daunting,” she added, “The challenge is to make her sincere. I want her to have a purpose.”

In a musical, dance numbers are essential. Loretta Wittman, SBC associate professor of theater, serves as choreographer. “Loretta’s very good with taking dramatic situations and turning them into a dance that expresses that,” Kershner said.

Troy Mearkle as music director is currently guiding the cast through the songs, which Kershner described as “really touching.”

Prior to the opening night performance, there will be a pre-show lecture by SBC associate professor of English Marcia Robertson at 6 p.m. in Johnson Dining Room at Prothro Hall. Regular dinner rates apply. Also, after the Oct. 19 matinee, there will be a question-and-answer session with the cast and crew.

Tickets for “Little Women” should be reserved and are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for students and free for children younger than 12 and members of the Sweet Briar community. Admission for the opening night performance is free for all students and teachers, and the Oct. 19 show will be sign interpreted.

Tickets go on sale Monday, Oct. 6. For reservations, contact the Sweet Briar box office at (434) 381-6120 or boxoffice@sbc.edu. You can also buy tickets via www.lynchburgtickets.com.

There is a special admission offer for area Girl Scouts for the Oct. 19 performance. Girl Scouts can gain admission for $2. For more information, or to obtain tickets, contact Jackie Dawson at (434) 381-6262 or jdawson@sbc.edu.

“Little Women” is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
“Little Women” cast members pictured are (seated, left to right) Katy Johnstone ’10 as Beth, Marcia Thom as Marmee, Mary Massie ’10 as Amy and (standing, left to right) Sarah Schofield ’11 as Meg and Mary Susan Sinclair-Kuenning ’09 as Jo. Photo by Kylene Hayslett.– By Liz Zuckerman ’09