I was probably 8 years old when I read an abridged version of  Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women for the first time. It was the Illustrated Classics edition with a hard cover and an image of the four March sisters lounging under a shady tree. I read it over and over, captivated by Jo’s drive, Meg’s maturity, Amy’s passion, and Beth’s kindness. In college, I watched the 1994 film adaptation frequently, comforted by Jo’s struggle to find her place in the world. This year, I gifted my 5 year old daughter a picture book edition. She immediately saw herself in Amy’s love of art. She was scandalized when Amy burned Jo’s book and sympathetic to the sisters’ struggle to apologize and forgive. Alcott’s novel captures something that resonates across time: the great highs and deep lows of growing up. 

Kate Hamill’s play is not the novel and the theater can do things that books and cameras can’t. If you are sitting here waiting to see a carbon copy of the Jo, Laurie, Meg, Amy, and Beth of your favorite film adaptation - I’m afraid you won’t find them here. But you will find characters you recognize - your sister, your brother, your best friend, your parents, yourself. Hamill’s characters are doing their best to discover who they’re meant to be and they don’t always do it gracefully. They experience failure and triumph, rupture and repair, grief and joy. I hope this show will remind you that, no matter your age, the process of growing up and coming into one’s own is messy and life long. May this reminder give each of us greater compassion and grace for our fellow humans. 

Assistant Director: Asher Hammer

Costume Design: Stacie Logue

Scenic and Lighting Design: Jonathan Hicks

Sound Design: Jack Oberto

Read the Preview in the Santa Barbara Independent HERE

Review in The Voice, Montecito