‘Little Women’ opens at Union March 23
By Amanda Vernon
JACKSON, Tenn. — The Union University Players will present a musical by Allan Knee based on the classic American novel “Little Women” March 23–28.
“The play is set in the Civil War,” director David Burke said. “It’s a play about hope, the obstacles that try to deflate it, and then how it is rekindled. It brings in an element of faith because we rekindle our hope through belief.”
Music director Michael Penny is working with the cast, along with a six-piece orchestra.
“The music is quite sophisticated,” Burke said. “It’s a lot like what I would compare to Stephen Sondheim. I knew it would challenge us.”
The cast includes seven women and four men, all of whom began rehearsals Feb. 6 in preparation for opening night, even managing to surprise their director.
“I’ve never seen this before, but I went to put up the Civil War costumes that had been lent to us, and I heard a noise in the theater, so I opened the door and half the cast were there rehearsing on their own,” Burke said. “They took initiative to say, ‘We’re just enjoy it so much we want to keep working.’”
Tickets cost $10 for general admission prior to the show and $12 the day of the show. For students, staff, faculty and seniors over the age of 65, the cost is $8 pre-sale and $10 at the door of the W.D. Powell Theatre.
“We have a powerful cast with a good mixture of actors and singers this year,” cast member Matthew Wallace said. “I think the overall aesthetic and caliber of this show is going to be one of our best.”
The show will run about two-and-a-half hours and will begin at 7:30 p.m. every day except for the 2:30 p.m. Sunday matinee.
