‘Little Women: The Musical’ at Yorba Linda Spotlight Players

OC Theatre Guild
2 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

A timeless story of ambition, love, loss and family brought to life with fresh heart and vision.

From Left: Olivia Tewksbbury, Dylan Panetta, Caleb Simmons, Sarah McGuire and Kasey Jacques (Photo Courtesy of Charna Lopez)

by Shannon Cudd

Author Louisa May Alcott did not want to write her beloved novel “Little Women.” She only did so at the request of her editor, Thomas Niles, who wanted a “girl’s story.” Alcott struggled to know how to even start. “Never liked girls or knew many, except my sisters; but our queer plays and experiences may prove interesting, though I doubt it,” she confessed in her journal.

Alcott could never have predicted the instant success of her family-inspired tale based on her own life. Readers immediately fell in love with the March sisters. The novel has not been out of print since its 1869 publication.

More than a hundred years later, Charna Lopez, artistic director and show director of “Little Women: The Musical” at Yorba Linda Spotlight Players, discovered one of those copies and, like many before her, became a fan. This love led her to add the musical adaptation to this season. She even offered to direct it herself.

“I love the story and how connected people can feel to it,” she gushed. “I just knew that I wanted to tackle it. I've never done it before.”

From Left: Kasey Jacques, Olivia Tewksbury, Dylan Panetta, Sarah McGuire and Caleb Simmons. Photo Courtesy of Charna Lopez

This production perfectly fits into the larger ethos of Yorba Linda Spotlight Players. The emphasis at this theater is family and community. “There is a parallel between the themes that we find in ‘Little Women’ and the themes that I want to have as part of our core pillars for Spotlight Players,” Lopez explained.

This is also why she took the option of expanding the chorus instead of having the main cast double in the ensemble. “I wanted to provide an opportunity for all levels of performers,” Lopez said. Her decision was quickly confirmed in rehearsals. “The ensemble of people that I have cast in this show are so energized. They're so excited to be part of this and ready to create. They have already become a family.”

Lopez helped create this familial chemistry in rehearsal by focusing on physicality. “I found something surprising when I started directing in the era of the show,” she shared. “The physical connection of people was much more prominent than now. And that sounds so backward but it's true. The hugging, holding hands or walking arm in arm. The touch on the shoulder or on the hand when leaving a room. We don't do that anymore.”

The time period is also expressed in the design elements of the production. The cast has been rehearsing in hoop skirts because they impact movement and character. Kaitlyn Tice wears two hats as both Marmee and costume designer.

From Left: Jacob Shelley and Sarah McGuire. Photo Courtesy of Charna Lopez

Lopez originally envisioned a large house to serve as the set but pivoted because of the wide stage at the Virginia DeLand Theatre. Instead, she and scenic designer Kimberly Young went minimalist with projections to suggest time and place. Crystal Shomph’s lighting design also supports this vision.

While visually embracing the time period helps with storytelling, all versions of “Little Women” endure because of the universal themes. Kinship, love, ambition, loss and resilience are things everyone can relate to. The March sisters' tight bond is a defining characteristic of their personalities but change is inevitable as they grow up.

The sisters must learn how their relationships evolve as they venture out into the world. Jo must grapple with a society that does not understand or support her ambition. Death and grief are unavoidable parts of life. Music makes these experiences even more moving.

“It's timeless. Even when I'm sitting there watching the interactions between the sisters it feels like I'm watching my own two kids. You know, siblings are siblings and parents are parents and you always have the one crazy aunt, right?” Lopez joked.

She wasn’t prepared for how her life as a mom would impact her work on this production. “I actually didn't even think about that, to be honest with you, until we had callbacks. And I was so emotional. It is very near and dear to my heart,” she said. “I'm so grateful that I'm a mom and that I get to have the experience to share with the cast.”

From Left: Kasey Jacques, Dylan Panetta, Kaitlyn Tice, Sarah McGuire and Olivia Tewksbury. Photo courtesy of Charna Lopez

Lopez can’t wait until audiences experience this sense of family as well. “I say family forever but I also say family is who you choose,” she mused. “Family is foundational. I would like the audience to know that love comes in many forms and can show itself in many ways.”

This heartwarming story is perfectly timed to kick off the colder months and holiday season. As a lifelong fan of the book, Lopez intends to honor the source material.

“If Louisa May Alcott was in the audience and her story was being told, I would hope that she would say, ‘Oh, you guys told that story perfectly. The story was told the way I intended, with the messages that I wanted to get across. And the sisterhood of the March sisters was just told with beauty.’ There’s such beauty in the story,” Lopez concluded.