By Jennifer John
NKyTribune staff writer
Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women has remained a beloved story for generations. The well-loved novel is known for the March sisters as they navigate family, love, loss, and growing up.
This fall, Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts (NKU SOTA) brings the story to the stage with Little Women: The Musical, Sept. 25-Oct. 5. The production is part of NKU SOTA’s “Snapshots of America” season and offers a whimsical interpretation of the classic story.
“As a department we decided on a season of ‘Snapshots of America,’ and what better story to represent that than the classic Little Women,” said Director Kat Moser-Priddy. “It is a novel about pursuing your dreams, especially as females, and looking at how we all can have different dreams than each other, and each is worth the pursuit.”
Moser-Priddy believes the story continues to connect with audiences because everyone can find something familiar in the March sisters’ individual journeys.
“Everyone, the audience member coming into this show is going to resonate with something different,” she said. “They will latch onto what would be important to them as they watch it.”
For those familiar with Alcott’s novel, the musical retains the story’s themes of sisterhood, love, and ambition while using music to heighten the emotion.
“The music truly amplifies the story in my opinion and really brings the emotion out of the piece,” Moser-Priddy said.
The score also provides a deeper look into Jo March’s mind and brings the stories she creates to life on stage.
NKU SOTA’s production takes a less traditional approach to the setting. Rather than strictly recreating 19th-century Concord, the show begins in a library, where young academics are selecting classic American novels. When one student chooses Little Women, she is drawn into the story and encourages the others to join her in retelling it.
“We are taking this show out of the specific time period that is set in the book and give it a more whimsical suspension of reality,” Moser-Priddy said.
The approach creates a production centered on imagination and play, with unexpected props and ensemble members taking on roles that help guide Jo through her journey.
“Audience members are given the chance to use their imagination and be a kid again,” Moser-Priddy said.
The visual design follows a “dark academia” aesthetic, combining elements from different eras. Audiences will see classic tweed and wool fashions alongside Victorian-inspired details, all within the atmosphere of a library.
The intimate setting of NKU SOTA’s black box theatre has also influenced how the performers approach their characters.
“Their acting and spatial awareness has been challenged in ways that force them to tell the story with their whole body and energy,” Moser-Priddy said.
With audiences viewing the performers from all sides, there is little opportunity to hide a moment.
“I think that has forced the actors to not only embody these characters more specifically physically but emotionally,” she said.
The musical’s intimate quality continues in the score. The production uses only three instruments, creating what Moser-Priddy describes as a rawer, more intimate sound. Ensemble vocals have also been incorporated to strengthen the emotional impact.
Students have played important roles both onstage and behind the scenes. Student designers Lee O’Rourke and Erikah Powers are contributing to the costumes and set, respectively, while Mabrey Rice is serving as student assistant director. Rice also directed two scenes in the production.
Moser-Priddy said the production has developed collaboratively, with student ideas influencing the staging and character work.
“It has been so exciting working with these young creatives as they learn how to work with a director combining our creative visions, and bringing them to life,” she said.
Watching the students grow has been one of the most rewarding parts of the process.
“The cast has been great to work with,” Moser-Priddy said. “They get excited about being creative and we have had lots of laughs in the process.”
She said some of her favorite moments have come when performers make choices that exceed what she originally envisioned.
“What is rewarding to me is when they make choices that go beyond my dreams and then I end up getting goosebumps or developing tears,” she said.
Moser-Priddy hopes the production will encourage students to approach musical theatre with the same depth they would bring to a play, combining the skills they are learning in acting, singing, and dance.
Among the musical moments she is particularly excited for audiences to experience are “Astonishing,” “Some Things Are Meant to Be” and “The Fire Within Me.” Movement inspired by musicals such as Waitress and Hamilton adds another contemporary element to the production.
Ultimately, Moser-Priddy hopes audiences will set aside their everyday distractions and allow themselves to become immersed in the story.
“I hope that they can give themselves time to let go of anything going on in their personal lives and allow us to take them on a journey where they might learn a little more about themselves and how they love, grow, and dream,” she said.
Little Women: The Musical runs Sept. 25-Oct. 5 at NKU’s School of the Arts.