A Portrait of Resilience and Loyalty: Nonesuch Players Present Little Women

Originally published as a novel in two volumes in 1868 and 1869, Little Women follows the lives of the four March sisters as they come of age during the Civil War in their home of Concord, MA. The story is widely regarded as a semi-autobiographical account of Alcott’s life, her journey as a writer, and her experiences growing up with three sisters. 

Rivers’ production features Kyra Coggin ’26 as the eldest daughter, Meg March, Katherine Shaw ’26 as aspiring writer Jo March, Esme Asaad ’26 as the shy and kind-hearted Beth March, and Maya Kloman ’28 as the youngest and fanciful Amy March. The cast also includes Saniya O’Meally ’28 as Marmee, Miles Poindexter ’29 as the elder Mr. Laurence, and Gavin Bollar ’27 as neighbor and friend Theodore “Laurie” Laurence. English faculty member and Grade 12 Dean tc Hanmer performed the role of adult Jo March, the character loosely based on Alcott herself, who serves as a narrator for the action of the play. 

Act I opens and closes with a Christmas scene, a year apart. The action begins in 1863, and with Mr. March off at war, Christmas celebrations are pared-down in the March household, with humble decorations and food offerings, but lots of heart and spirit. The scene comes to life with granny square quilts and books and Beethoven sonatas as the backdrop to the imaginative and dashing plays that Jo writes for her family to perform—a mini show-within-a-show. Through the course of the year, the sisters each have exhilarating thrills and heartbreaks—the excitement of a budding romance, the uncertainty of disease and change, gratitude for the kindness of a neighbor, and strength and unconditional love for family. At the end of the act, the March family—this time surprised by Mr. March—are all gathered together again for Christmas in 1864. 

Act II covers a longer period of time as the March sisters grow older and consider their place in the world. The student actors, along with their faculty colleagues, embodied their characters with emotion and nuanced understanding, delivering, where necessary, both impeccable comedy and genuine pathos in equal measure. 

Enhancing the fine acting in setting the scene were the costumes and set pieces. Costumes were rented from NY-based The Costumer, and they were fitted, planned, and maintained by costumer Cathy Favreau P’22. Favreau worked with set designer Derek Epstein to come up with a list of set pieces and sourced many of the materials, some of which were borrowed from members of the community. Crew members Elise Kravitz ’28 and Braxton Seale ’27 managed light and sound, respectively. 

One special element of the production is that it featured professional community members acting alongside students. In addition to Hanmer as the adult Jo, producer Julia Auster-Hogan ’06 joined the stage as Hannah, the March’s maid, and Diane DeVore P’22 brought intensity and comedy as the severe Aunt March. 

“I feel so lucky to play a part in the story of the March family,” said Auster-Hogan. “This story and its movies mean a lot to me. It was so fun to be back in the mix, learning blocking and memorizing lines, and it was also great to remind myself how our students experience the rehearsal process, since I’ve been on the other side lately.”

DeVore echoed those sentiments: “I was about 12 years old when my mom gave me a beautiful hardback, color-illustrated version of Little Women, and I’ve been in love with this story ever since I read it. This cast did an amazing job bringing these characters to life, and their work onstage is beautiful. Equally inspiring is their work offstage; I’ve been especially struck by the way this group of students supports and encourages one another. I’m really grateful to be a part of this ensemble!”

Bailey applauded the cast and crew for their hard work. “This play has more lines than any other play I’ve directed, and the students were amazing in their work ethic and commitment to not only get the lines down, but deliver them naturally in character.”

In her director’s note, Bailey wrote that Little Women is “a testament to resilience and resistance.” While the story is well-known and loved—and over 150 years old—its themes still resonate deeply with this 21st-century audience. 

“Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy must navigate life’s trials: poverty, the separation caused by war, individual heartbreak, and the difficulty of finding a place in the world,” Bailey wrote. “For the Marches, every setback is met with fierce loyalty and support. They are always stronger together.”

Little Women performances will take place in the Black Box Theater of the Haffenreffer Building on Thursday, November 6, and Friday, November 7 at 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, November 8, at 1:00 p.m. Visit this page for more information and tickets.

Full Cast and Crew

 

CAST

Marmee........................................................................Saniya O’Meally ’28

Meg March ...................................................................... Kyra Coggin ’26*

Jo March ......................................................................Katherine Shaw ’26*

Beth March ........................................................................Esme Asaad ’26*

Amy March......................................................................Maya Kloman ’28

Mr. March...................................................................Mika Mustafayev ’27

Laurie.................................................................................Gavin Bollar ’27

Bhaer..........................................................................Sebastian Mertsch ’27

Mr. Laurence................................................................Miles Poindexter ’29

John Brooke............................................................................Zimon Li ’26

Mrs. Kirke..................................................................... Vivian Dykema ’26

Hannah..........................................................................Julia Auster-Hogan ’06

Aunt March........................................................................... Diane DeVore P’22

Josephine March .........................................................................tc Hanmer

Mrs. Tomlinson (voice)............................................................Maddy Smith

*Drama Captain

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director ....................................................................................Juliet Chase Bailey

Producer.............................................................................Julia Auster-Hogan ’06

Wardrobe, Props, Set Decoration .......................................... Cathy Favreau P’22

Stage Manager......................................................................Mika Mustafayev ’27

Set Design................................................................................Derek Epstein

Light Design .........................................................................Chris Fournier

Light Board Operator......................................................... Elise Kravitz ’28

Sound Board Operator......................................................Braxton Seale ’27

TECH CREW

Braxton Seale ’27

Vivian Dykema ’26

Elise Kravitz ’28

Zimon Li ’26

Sebastian Mertsch ’27