Jo (April Wilcox), left, is taken back by Meg’s (Charity Benham) stern order to behave herself if Jo is to attend a party. Sister Beth (Natalie Kniola) watches in a scene from “Little Women” at Gallery Theater.
Marcus Larson/News-Register

Mr. Laurence (York Rentsch) offers Marmee March (Julie Richeson), center, and daughter Beth (Natalie Kniola) a few items to take on a trip to visit Mr. March, a Civil War veteran who is ill.
Marcus Larson/News-Register

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One of the most popular young adult novels of all time, "Little Women," will come to life on the Gallery Theater stage Friday, April 24, through Sunday, May 16.

Marion De Forest's stage version of Louisa M. Alcott's book tells the story of sisters growing up in Civil War America.

"This version of the play focuses on relationships," said Carolyn McCloskey, who is directing the show. "Relationships between the girls and their family, the girls and their choices, the girls and one another."

Alcott decided to write "Little Women" in the late 1860s after she noticed many books being published about the soldiers and battles of the Civil War. She wanted to explore another aspect of the times - the women and families who stayed home while the men marched off to battle.

Many of the characters and locations are based on Alcott's own experiences. A nurse during the Civil War, she campaigned along with her mother for women's rights and an end to slavery.

The play begins in 1863, when some of the war's bloodiest battles were taking place. The four March girls are teens on the brink of deciding how their lives will play out.

Each of the girls represents one option for women in the mid-19th century. Meg, played by Charity Benham, marries young and soon has children. Beth, played by Nathalie Kniola, remains unmarried and stays home to care for her family. Amy, played by Cassandra Pangelinan, travels abroad to explore her artistic talents. Jo, played by April Wilcox, exerts her independence and develops a career as a writer - just as Alcott did herself.

"They finally settle into what was realistic for women at the time, marrying and settling down," McCloskey said, noting that in early drafts of the novel Jo stayed single, but readers clamored for a more traditional ending.

"It's interesting to compare the options then to those women have now, and yet see that women and relationships haven't changed all that much," she said.

McCloskey said she's also intrigued by the differences between the 1860s and current times, and yet notes the similarities, as well. "Back then we were at war; soldiers were deployed and families were left at home to cope," she said. "Now, we're still at war and families are still coping at home."

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Many of the people who auditioned for "Little Women" are fans of the novel, said McCloskey, who identified with the Jo character when she read the book as a child.

Meridith Symons, who plays Aunt March, for instance, named her own daughter "Meg" after a character in the book. Wilcox has always loved the book and saw herself as Jo, the character she portrays at Gallery.

Other members of the cast Mr. and Mrs. March are played by Duane Bean and Julie Richeson. Debby Larsen plays the older version of Amy.

Chris Grady plays Laurie, with Steve Cox as John Brooke, Dorothy Van Arsdel as Hannah, Chris Benham as Professor Bhaer and York Rensch as Mr. Laurence.

Linda Kuhlman is the assistant director.

Linda Mattson created the costumes, with help from Linda Prince and Antonia Ousterhout. Richeson, who plays the mother, also contributed - both she and Mattson are involved with Civil War re-enactments.

Costumes are authentic to the time period, hoop skirts and all, McCloskey said. "We've been practicing with hoop skirts since Day 1," she said. "The stage has to be extra large to accommodate the costumes."

Dick Clay built the set with assistance from Bill McCloskey, Dennis Frost and Ron Dalehout. Luke Zimmerman helped with the painting.

Sara Avalos is in charge of the backstage team, which includes Claire Hammond and Angela Janssen. Leah Flake is overseeing props. Technical details are being handled by Sophia Hanson-Richter.

"Little Women" will play at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets for the play are $13 general admission and $11 student and senior.

To accompany "Little Women," Gallery will host a Mother's Day tea at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 10. Visitors will enjoy pastries and beverages as they discuss the enduring popularity of the book.

Tickets for the "High Tea and Talk" even are separate from the play. They cost $5 apiece or $4 each for groups of four or more.

For reservations or additional information, call Gallery at 503-472-2227.