“Christopher Columbus!” The four March sisters are coming to Warren Arts playhouse.
“Little Women,” directed by Sheri Denning and Julie Cantrell and stage managed by Jennifer Swims, premieres Friday night, and it is sure to be a capital show, not to mention a hot ticket.
The family friendly play tells the story of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March, four sisters growing up in Civil War-era Concord, Mass., and experiencing the joys and disappointment life can bring.
Jana Denning, a young actor on the rise, plays the protagonist Jo, and Denning’s performance in and of itself is well worth the price of admission. Denning says she identifies with Jo’s determination to stay true to herself and chart her own course, irrespective of societal limitations placed on women.
“I think we have the same energy and style,” says Denning of her character, who adds the play is about “the importance of understanding who you are and what you want, and going for that.”
The play delves into the lives of the March sisters and their experiences growing up in poverty with their father away at war. They find love, endure heartbreak, and work to find their place in the world.
It’s a story that’s liable to have the audience alternating between laughter and tears, according to Sheri Denning.
Rounding out the March clan are Sophia Hunt as Meg, Lillianna Stiffler as Beth, Dylan Womack as Amy, Theresa Garrison as Mrs. March, and Jennifer Grayson as Aunt March.
Carter Cantrell appears as an immaculately attired Laurie, Rob Nunley brings great accent work to his portrayal of the German Friedrich Bhaer, and Motlow’s own Gregg Garrison is equal to the role of the august Mr. Laurence.
Stage manager Jennifer Swims keeps the sets moving with precision and alacrity, and many of the period costumes seen in the show were provided courtesy of Loretta Jones, an Annie Oakley impersonator in Rock Island.
Directors Denning and Cantrell say that due to COVID-related spacing restrictions only 50 audience members will be allowed in the theatre for each of the six performances. Those people not able to get tickets for in-person viewing have the option to purchase access to live-streams of the show.
Performance dates are Dec. 4-5 and Dec. 11-12 at 7 p.m., and Dec. 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by visiting WarrenArtsTN.com. Warren Arts is located at 5482 Manchester Highway in Morrison.
Also in the production are Brenda Amdsden-Elam, Teri Nunley, Sami Burchfield, Nathaniel McCuller, Linda Dodd, Caroline Stewart, Alexandra Hunt, Natalie Carr, Sophie Carr, Meah Sewell, Karalily Applegate, Olivia Carr, Karigan Smith, Shelby Knight, and Caroline McGee.
Crew for the play includes Dawn Hoover, Vincent Garrison, Sara Nuckols, Kathy Elam, Margie Tidwell, Joyce Tidwell, Charis Fry, Evelyn Fry, Ruby Denning, Rachel McGee, Sherri Smith, Ed McCuller, Jason Gross, Carter Medley, Carrol-Lee Mayberry, Chad McGee, Molly Dodd, Tara Austin, Jeff Cantrell, Melissa Pyburn, Mike Denning, and Sara Rosales.
