Little Women to allow audience to reconsider the definition of success

Promo photo from Hesston College production of Little Women

Hesston College Theatre will present three showings of the musical Little Women March 27 to 29 at Hesston Mennonite Church. The show will be at 7 p.m., March 27 and 28, and 3 p.m., March 29.

Based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, Little Women is the well-known tale of the four imaginative March sisters and their mother who struggle through the Civil War while their father is absent as an army chaplain. The sisters each have unique personalities, and the show centers on aspiring writer Jo as she pursues her dream, is rejected and realizes what true success looks like.

“It has been a total delight to see the show growing and growing,” said director Laura Kraybill. “The consistent energy around the show has been a huge gift.”

Kraybill, Hesston College Theatre faculty member is co-directing the show with music director and music faculty member Matt Schloneger.

Little Women is a tale of family togetherness and perseverance that is wonderful for all ages. Kraybill hopes the show will allow the audience to “re-evaluate what success looks like and how much success has to do with the love given and received in life.”

Tickets are $15 for adults and seniors, $8 for students and $5 for Hesston College students. They can be purchased online or by calling 620-327-8105.

A cast of 19 students will be featured, as well as a live orchestra made up of students and community members.

Little Women cast:
Jo March – Taylor Zehr, Wauseon, Ohio
Professor Bhaer – Galed Krisjayanta, Sukarta, Indonesia
Amy March – Emma Roth, Goshen, Ind.
Meg March – Meredith Spicher, Belleville, Pa.
Beth March – Eleya Raim, Oxford, Iowa
Marmee March – Anna Martin, Harleysville, Pa.
Mr. Laurence – Micah Raber, Millersburg, Ohio
Laurie Laurence – Nathan Patron, North Newton, Kan.
Aunt March – Abbie DeWild, Kalona, Iowa
Mr. John Brooke – Ben Helmuth, Goshen, Ind.
Mrs. Kirk – Savannah Sizer, Littleton, Colo.
Clarissa/ensemble – Kiara Boettger, Harrisonburg, Va.
Braxton/ensemble – Elliot Liechty, Harrisonburg, Va.
Rodrigo – Caleb Schrock-Hurst, Harrisonburg, Va.
Knight/ensemble – Jared Hurst, Sharon, Pa.
Hag/ensemble – Kristy Clouse, Kalona, Iowa
Troll/ensemble – Charissa Graham, Tiskilwa, Ill.
Rodrigo 2/ensemble – Irena Xhari, Lezhe, Albania
Ensemble – Jeremy Delly, Port-Au-Prince, Haiti

Little Women is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.