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Little Women

an opera by Mark Adamo

A delightful 1998 opera based on the beloved novel by Louisa May Alcott about four New England sisters

University Opera Theatre

University Philharmonia Orchestra

Mendelssohn Theatre

March 24 - 27, 2011

Overview

The Story: Adapted from the beloved novel by Louisa May Alcott, Little Women is more than a poignant coming-of-age tale that has beguiled audiences for over a century. The four inseparable March sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy – are devoted to each other and the warm cozy home they share with their parents. Unfortunately, childhood doesn’t last forever and growing up ultimately means growing apart. Unwilling to accept the change, Jo does everything she can to stem the passage of time – even leaving home. But when Beth’s illness brings her racing home to transformation beyond recall, Jo must reconcile her childish wishes with the mature twists in her own life.

Background: Acclaimed by The New Yorker critic Alex Ross as “one of the best opera composers of the moment,” composer-librettist Mark Adamo achieved unprecedented success with his first opera Little Women. Premiered by the Houston Grand Opera in 1998, Little Women has become one of the top ten performed operas nationally and internationally with fifty-five different productions. His latest commission is for the San Francisco Opera, The Gospel of Mary Magdalene, set to premiere in June 2013. The Los Angeles Times declared Little Women “A strong poetic text married to music of charm and tunefulness...a joy in every way.” Filled with vivacious music, wit, and charm, Little Women is an engaging opera that evokes our own wishes to freeze moments in time.

Cast

	March 24 & 26, 2011	March 25 & 27, 2011
Jo March	Kristin Eder	Elizabeth Lenz
Laurie	Kevin Newell	Kyle Stegall
Meg March	Christine Reinard	Emily Goodwin
Beth March	Elise Turner	Kelly Hedgspeth
Amy March	Mary Martin	Amy Petrongelli
John Brooke	Carl Frank	Steven Eddy
Cecilia March	Amanda Cantu	Sarah Davis
Alma March	Sarah Batts	Maureen Ferguson
Friedrich Bhaer	Nicholas Ward	Brandon Grimes
Gideon March	Brian Rosenblum	Ben Sieverding

Mr. Dashwood	Glenn Ellington
Spirits	Sarah Voice, Stephanie Hradsky, Nadya Hill, Jayme Kelmigian

little women graphic

Chris Purcell, CAP Designs

Artistic Staff

Director	Robert Swedberg
Conductor	Christopher Lees
Scenic Designer	Corey Lubowich
Costume Designer	Corey Davis
Lighting Designer	Sarah Petty
Wig Designer	Erin Kennedy Lunsford
Stage Manager	Jordan Braun