By Marian Cracraft
Louisa May Alcott’s beloved coming-of-age tale takes center stage this fall as University Theatre presents “Little Women: The Broadway Musical,” running Nov. 13–23 in the Ronald E. Mitchell Theatre in Vilas Hall.
Under the direction of Ann M. Shanahan, a professor in the School of Education’s Department of Theatre and Drama, the classic story of the March sisters is given fresh life in this heartfelt and powerful new musical.
With music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, and a book by Allan Knee, the musical adapts Alcott’s novel set during the American Civil War. The story follows the four March sisters — Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy — as they grow up under the steady guidance of their mother, navigating creativity, poverty, jealousy, love, and loss along the way.
For Shanahan, working on the production has been inspiring and deeply rewarding. “It’s turned out to be such an incredible experience, and such a positive one for the department, for the students, and I hope for audiences,” she says. “I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.”
Beyond its timeless charm, Shanahan believes the story’s themes resonate deeply today. “It just seems like there couldn’t be a more important story to tell right now — about nurturing the creative spark in all of us and how dependent that is on our families, our friends, and our communities.”
The production also showcases the department’s design talent. “I’m really fortunate as a director to be on my third project now in three years with Ali Amidei, who is our professor of costume design and an incredible costume designer,” Shanahan says. “Her designs are stunning — jaw-droppingly beautiful — and this is no exception.”
Guest artists Brandon Wardell and Jessica Wardell bring their expertise to lighting, projections, and set design. Brandon Wardell, a former student of Shanahan’s at Loyola University Chicago, now heads the lighting program at Northern Illinois University. Jessica Wardell, a 1998 UW–Madison theatre and drama alum, is a scenic and costume designer as well as a scenic painter working in Chicago.
Shanahan notes that the creative team drew inspiration from the relationship between domestic spaces and creativity — in particular the attic, which serves as the sisters’ imaginative refuge. The production also features Joshua Nguyen, who previously worked on University Theatre’s “Spring Awakening,” as sound designer and Adam Shelton as musical director.
As opening night approaches, Shanahan hopes audiences will be moved not only by the story but also the artistry of UW–Madison’s theatre students. “I’m blown away,” she says, speaking about the cast and crew. “I just hope audiences get to experience not only the beautiful themes of the play, which honestly comfort me every night that I see it, but also the fact that this kind of talent is among us — on our campus and in our communities. We’re capable of making this beauty.”
“Little Women: The Broadway Musical” runs Nov. 13–23 in the Ronald E. Mitchell Theatre in Vilas Hall (821 University Ave.). Full-price tickets are $28, with discounts available for UW–Madison faculty and staff, seniors (62+), students, and children. Tickets for preview night on Wednesday, Nov. 13, are $15 for all seats. Group rates are also available.
To buy tickets, visit artsticketing.wisc.edu or call 608-265-2787.
Content Advisory: This production contains themes of grief, terminal illness, and the loss of a sibling. It includes emotionally intense scenes related to death and familial conflict. Suitable for most audiences, but some material may be challenging for young children.