Because of its immense popularity, we asked several directors why they chose this version of Little Women when they said, in ordering a perusal copy, that they had read four or five versions previously. Two reasons seemed important: This version has 12 - 18 women, while some adapters cut parts to condense the long novel. Since the story covers several years and many characters, a narrator, Josephine (Jo) Marsh, gives background information to tie the scenes together. Her narration also gives time for the few costume and set changes necessary for a simple or magnificent production. Josephine, of course, is Louisa May Alcott. The author and the publisher have worked to make this script playable by every theatre regardless of size and budget, and by actors of virtually any age, because we feel it is a story that every person ought to see. The story is familiar to nearly every American. The four March daughters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—continue to live in the hearts of readers, causing smiles and tears, triumph and tragedy as they grow up, fall in love...and face life. This classic American tale will touch the heart of every person in your audience.

Most of the action takes place in the March house, and that is the only required scenery. A combination of living room, attic room, and Beth's bedroom works best and this set should never move or be changed. All the other locations in the script can be played in front of the March set with little or no scenic pieces. A suggested floor plan can be found in the Production Notes of the script. The cast size for this version is flexible. Smaller roles that can be doubled are marked. Additional actors can be added to the Christmas party scene, the dance at the Laurences', and on the street in Act I Scene 9. The role of Amy may be played by two different actresses: a smaller, younger one for Act I and a slightly older, taller one for Act II. The role of Josephine has the greatest number of lines, but it must be remembered that her narration is a planned lecture, so she may use notes or even the script itself.

Finally, this 2-act version runs about two and a half hours with one intermission between acts. For groups who need to shorten this time by twenty minutes or so and wish to eliminate some minor characters, suggested cuts are listed. Two acts; unit set; 1860's costumes.

Thomas Hischak is a Professor of Theatre at the State University of New York College at Cortland. He is the author of fifteen published plays and three books on the American Musical Theatre. Other Hischak plays published by Clark: Jane Eyre, Murder by Membership Only, A Doll's House

"Heart-warming adaptation"—BYU Book and Play Review. "A superb and moving performance. The four [little women] captured the audience"—Laura R. Jones, reviewing the production by the SUNY Masquers, Cortland, NY.

See also: Adaptations of the Classics