'Little Women: The Musical' coming in February

Finally, barring any last-minute postponements from the C- word, the Washakie Museum & Cultural Center is proud to present "Little Women: The Musical" directed by Naomi Durrant with four performances February 11 – 14. Produced nationally and internationally, "Little Women" has been praised by critics for its ambition in adapting such a well-known story for the stage. This timeless, captivating story, condensed to a four-year period, is brought to life in this glorious musical filled with personal discovery, heartache, hope and everlasting love.

Louisa May Alcott's beloved story (originally published as two volumes in 1868 and 1869) of the adventures of the four March sisters is brought to vivid musical life in "Little Women." The Civil War is in full swing. The oldest March sister, Meg, (Caranna Green) is responsible and kind with a small weakness for luxury; the second-oldest, Jo, (Sariah Durrant) is spirited and tomboyish with a temper and an impatience for the limitations placed on women; the third daughter, Beth, (Amber Tibbits) is timid and musical and encourages and helps her sisters and others selflessly; and the youngest, Amy, (Addie Carver) yearns for a sophisticated life, is used to getting her own way, and has a tendency to pout when she does not. The girls live in Concord, Massachusetts, with their Marmee (Naomi Durrant) while their father is on the battlefield. Marmee is the backbone of the family and manages to stay strong despite difficulties faced.

Filled with adventure (both lived and imagined), heartbreak, and a deep sense of hope, the struggle of these "Little Women" to find their own voices mirrors the growing pains of a young America. With buoyant, joyful melodies, memorable characters, and a big-hearted message, "Little Women" reminds us that "sometimes when you dream, your dreams come true."

The sensible German, Professor Bhaer, is played by Raeth Tolman. He convinces Jo that she is "better" than the "blood and guts stuff" she writes, and they fall in love and become engaged. Eric Pomeroy plays Laurie Laurence, the lonely and charming boy next door who becomes firm friends with the March family. He falls in love with Jo but eventually marries Amy. Dan Mattis is Mr. Laurence, Laurie's wealthy grandfather who has a peppery disposition hiding a compassionate heart. Muffie Shaw portrays Aunt March, a formidable and haughty great-aunt to the March sisters, who is exasperated by Jo's lack of propriety. Scott Mattis is Mr. John Brooke, Laurie's tutor, who is reserved and hard-working and only shows his tender side when he falls in love with Meg. Caryn Ramirez plays Mrs. Kirk, the owner of the boarding house in New York where Jo and Professor Bhaer meet.

"Little Women" includes "Operatic Tragedy," a melodramatic short story written by Jo in her attic studio. Several of the cast will play duplicate characters in the melodrama adding Raychel Duffy as the "Hag" and Collyn Ramirez as the "Troll."

To maintain social distancing, audience sizes will be limited. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 347-4102, or on our website at washakiemuseum.org. Dinner Theatre performances will be Friday, February 12, and Saturday, February 13, starting at 5:30 p.m. Pianist Jessica Hoopes will perform "Romantic Melodies" while guests enjoy light hors d'oeuvres followed by a Prime Rib Buffet. The performance starts at 7 p.m. with a special scrumptious dessert served at intermission. "No-host" wine, beer and assorted soft drinks are available. Tickets for the dinner theatres are $50 for museum members and $60 for the general public.

General seating performances are scheduled for Thursday, February 11, at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 14, at 1:30 p.m. Both performances include a pre-show performance by pianist Jessica Hoopes with cookies and hot chocolate. "No-host" wine, beer, and assorted soft drinks are available. Tickets are $15 for Museum members and $18 for the general public.

For the first time - should you choose to watch the local performance from your home - Video On-Demand is available through showtix4u.com. The filming process of the show is being graciously donated by Range, formerly RT Communications.

You can order your Video On-Demand at showtix4u.com by typing Washakie Museum in the "Find an organization" box or you can go to the Event tab at washakiemuseum.org and click on Little Women Video On-Demand. Video On-Demand will be available on February 12. Tickets are $15 for Museum members and $18 for the general public (Showtix4u will add a minimal fee for the service).

FREE tickets, sponsored by the Newell B. Sargent Foundation, are available to active-duty military, immediate families of deployed servicemen, veterans, emergency service personnel, including firefighters, police, ambulance and search & rescue. Tickets are also available to their immediate household families. One hundred tickets are available and must be picked up in advance at the Museum. The Newell B. Sargent Foundation also graciously sponsored tickets for Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Major funding for this performance is provided by the Newell B. Sargent Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation, the US Bank Foundation, and Range. Other sponsors include: In memory of Charlotte Asay, In memory of Jean E. Bailey Healy, In memory of David Duffy, In Memory of Anne Hill, In Memory of Kerry Clark, In Memory of Mary Evelyn Bower, and ANB Bank, Donna Beckstead, Carl & Barbara Berryman, Landis & Janet Benson, David Bostrom, George & In memory of Mary Evelyn Bower, Steve & Laura Brown, Fred & Lori Frandson, Dan & Nancy Frederick, Mike & Tiffany Greear, Steven & Carole Grosch, David & Charleen Hamilton, Jadeco Inc/Brad & Leslie Basse, Roger & Martha Lawley, Legacy Financial Partners of Ameriprise Financial Services/John & Margaret Shaw, Martenson Partnership, Tom & Laura McDonald, Richard & Liisa McKamey, McKinnon Flooring/Tom & Marcy McKinnon, Donna Moberly, Nelson & Page Dental, Gordon & Reba Neumann, Lloyd & Donna Nielson, Pinnacle Bank, John & Christiane Gee Porter, Gene & Bonnie Schreibeis, Roxie Shepperd, Stanley & Barbara Smith, Melanie Stine, Jack & Julie Stott, Al & Carla Willard, Mike & Carol Willard, TJ & Carole Woosley, Anonymous, In Honor of the David Bostrom & Marilyn Weaver marriage.

"Little Women: The Broadway Musical" is based on the book by Allan Knee with music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, and based upon the novel by Louisa May Alcott. "Little Women: The Broadway Musical" is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. http://www.mtishows.com.