WTC presents classic ‘Little Women’ for the holidays
Shelbie Guckenberg as Amy, Kadence Johnson as Beth, May Boggess as Jo, and Annie Robertson as Meg in the Whitefish Theatre Company’s production of “Little Women”. (WTC courtesy photo)
The Whitefish Theatre Company is thrilled to present “Little Women” as their winter show at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. Based on the beloved book, this heartfelt and captivating play opens with a sneak preview night on Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Performances continue on Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. and on Dec. 11 and 18 at 4 p.m.
In Kate Hamill’s sparkling adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel “Little Women”, Jo March is not your typical Victorian lady. She is ambitious, rough around the edges, headstrong, and yearns for the day when she will be a great American novelist. As the nation is torn apart by civil war, Jo and her sisters struggle with what it means to grow up, as each sister must negotiate her private ambitions with society’s expectations of gender and class. Written with a contemporary flair and called “ingenious, saucy, and spunky” by The New York Times, Jo March gives us her greatest story — the March sisters, four dreamers destined to be imperfect little women.
“So many people have told me that ‘Little Women’ is their favorite book,” says Director Linda Grinde. “As our talented cast breathes life into these enduring characters, I can see why they love this classic story. These characters represent the struggle to grow up and find your true self, even in the midst of difficulties, a message that speaks to every generation and most poignantly to our own.”
The world premiere of this stage adaptation of “Little Women” occurred in Minneapolis in 2018, followed by a New York premiere in 2019. Talkin’ Broadway has called Hamill’s adaptation “a sublime example of how to make 19th-century works relevant to modern audiences.” The Wall Street Journal adds that Hamill’s spin on this cherished classic is “an ingenious compassion of Alcott’s novel that is by turns funny and painfully moving.”
The cast is comprised of 11 actors from around the Flathead Valley. May Boggess plays Jo, Annie Robertson plays Meg, Shelbie Guckenberg plays Amy, and Kadence Johnson plays Beth. In addition, Hunter Cripe plays Laurie, Amanda Schram plays Marmee, Jan Simpson plays Aunt March, Jack Eaton plays Mr. Lawrence, Susi Kohler plays Hannah, Adam Robinson plays Brooks, and Joel Welle plays four male roles.
“I am delighted to be working with both the young talent, some appearing on the WTC stage for the first time, and with the seasoned actors and friends familiar to our audiences,” Grinde said. “Together they have woven a story sure to tug at your heart even while you are laughing.”
Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors, and $10 for students with reserved seating. Tickets for the sneak preview performance on Dec. 8 are sold only at the door and are $12 for adults and $10 for students.
Tickets can be purchased online at whitefishtheatreco.org, at the WTC Box Office at 1 Central Ave. in Whitefish, or by calling (406) 862-5371. Box office hours are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before performance times. The show is sponsored by Sue and Hank Ricklefs, Trovare, and Kristin Zuckerman of Engel & Völkers.