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Shelby Stebleton, left, is Jo and Dominic Lovato is Laurie In the Albuquerque Little Theatre production of “Little Women.” (Courtesy of George Williams/g-pix photography)
For generations of girls, the classic novel “Little Women” has opened doors of possibilities outside of traditional expectations.
Director Paula Stein says the adaptation that she, her cast and crew will bring to the Albuquerque Little Theatre holds true to the four sisters of the fictional March family, captured in Louisa May Alcott’s novel published in 1868.
The adaptation celebrates a year in the life of the family, modeled after Alcott’s own, about 1863, from one Christmas to the next, when the sisters’ father returns from the Civil War.
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If you go WHAT: “Little Women” WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 18-Feb. 3 WHERE: Albuquerque Little Theatre, 224 San Pasquale SW HOW MUCH: Adults 13 and older, $15; Children 12 and younger, $10. For reservations call 242-4750 or visit www.albuquerquelittletheatre.org |
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“The dreams and aspirations of those young women in that time are still relevant today,” Stein says. “I was in junior high when I read ‘Little Women.’ At that time, I remember I wanted to be a newspaper journalist and I related most to Jo, who was a writer.”
Each of the sisters had a particular talent and aspiration. Along with Jo’s writing, the youngest sister, Amy, loved art. Also younger, Beth, played piano and helped those less fortunate, and the oldest sister, Meg, wanted to escape the family’s poverty and live a full, happy life.
“They were each different in their own way. While they fight and squabble, they all allow each other to be themselves,” Stein explains. “They had dreams and followed them at a time when few young women were able to do that. Their lives could be more than cleaning carpets and learning how to cook.”
She hopes the play continues the conversation for women and men about following their dreams.
“I think grandmothers will bring their granddaughters. I think girlfriends will talk about the first time they read the novel. We all remember the first time we read it,” Stein says, adding that it can bring up those younger dreams of what girls wanted to be when they grew up. “It’s a wonderful tool for that.”
She says she has cast slightly older young women in the roles of the four teenaged sisters to bring more depth to the roles: “I think the characters are believable and accessible for today’s women.”
Eleanor Smith, who plays Meg, recently graduated from college with a degree in theater and will make her Albuquerque theater debut with this performance.
“In the beginning, Meg is preoccupied with money and what people think of her. I’m an older sister, so I can relate to her. All the characters learn they can have adventures, be good at something and still have a family. They are very multidimensional. They learn to handle whatever life throws at them.”
College freshman Shelby Stebleton, says she’s delighted to play Jo: “She’s so independent and ambitious. Everything she sets her mind to do, she does.”
Even though the characters are almost 150 years old, Stebleton says that kind of independent, take-charge attitude is still relevant: “Oh definitely, it’s relevant. We still don’t have a woman president. It’s relevant for kids nowadays. It’s about being who you want to be and not letting anyone stop you, whether you are a girl or a guy.”
