This November 21, 22, 23, at 7:30 PM, Manheim Township Performing Arts (MTPA) will be one of the performing arts groups in the nation to perform the adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel “Little Women” at the high school level. This new adaptation was written by Kate Hamill, an American actress and playwright who has published numerous retellings of classical literature—notably “Pride and Prejudice”, “Sense and Sensibility”, and “Vanity Fair”—and has received astounding awards, such as the 2017 Playwright of the Year and the 2016 Off-Broadway Alliance Award. Currently, her adaptation of “Little Women” is being performed off Broadway in New York, and Manheim Township High School will be one of the first high schools to perform the play, on a more local scale. 

Alcott’s “Little Women” has become a household classic, telling the story of young women during the Civil War and their role in society. The novel’s various themes of family, sacrifice, and love are what has allowed it to endure as one of the world’s most popular books to this day.

There are at least seven adaptations of “Little Women,” and fans have been anticipating the high school’s rendition of the novel since MTPA announced their 2019 Fall Production: “I think the audiences should look forward to seeing the classic story with a spin…I love the version that we’re doing, and it’s awesome to be one of the very first high schools to be performing it,” said senior Yasmine Nicholas, who will be playing Jo March, the second oldest sister in the family. 

Tickets for the show will be sold in the High School Auditorium Box office on Monday evenings from 6:30 P.M. to 8:00 PM, cash or check only. Tickets can also be purchased online on the show’s website. 

As the premiere date looms close, those involved in the play urge students to come out and support MTPA. Changes to the production may prompt new discussion and perspective, leaving open interpretation from the original themes.

Come out and support MTPA in Kate Hamil’s rendition of “Little Women”; perhaps you will be inspired by the heartening themes present in such a classic story. For more information or updates regarding performing arts at the high school, you can follow MTPA’s instagram @mtperformingarts.