By Sarah Morgan
Following the success of their sold-out premiere production of Into the Woods in Concert last fall, the Connecticut Stage Company will continue its inaugural season and present Little Women in Concert on April 27 and 28th at the New Canaan Library.
Connecticut Stage Company (CSC) Co-founders Lorah Haskins, owner of The Studio for Performing Arts, and Kate Simone, actor, director, and long-time New Canaan resident, are passionate about bringing more theatre productions to a community that loves the arts. Alongside a talented directorial team including music direction by Ari Goldbloom-Helzner and choreography by Chris McNiff, Little Women in Concert promises to provide audiences with a unique and special night of theatre.
Little Women in Concert features a star-studded cast, including 2-time Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin as Marmee and Broadway powerhouse Kennedy Caughell as Jo March. The production, co-produced by New Canaan Library, will transport audiences to Concord, Massachusetts during the Civil War as they follow the journey of the four March sisters and their beloved Marmee.
“We are beyond thrilled to be bringing incredible professional actors to New Canaan for Little Women,” said Kate, who is directing the production. Lorah Haskins, the musical’s executive producer, echoed Kate’s excitement. “We are simply delighted to be bringing this perennial story to life on stage for our community. Over 150 years ago, Louisa May Alcott’s words inspired a new generation of independent minds, an impact still incredibly prevalent today,” she exclaimed.
“Little Women”, with a book by Allan Knee, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, and music by Jason Howland, was adapted into a stunning musical in 1999 and continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. Following the Sunday matinee on April 28th, lyricist Mindi Dickstein will join the cast for a talkback, offering insights into the creative process behind adapting Alcott’s beloved novel for the stage.
CSC is taking a unique approach to producing Little Women in Concert. As the company doesn’t yet have its own theater space, the musical will be in a concert format, with actors holding scripts and minimal use of costumes or props. This stripped-down presentation allows audiences to experience the storytelling more intimately, providing a deeper insight into the characters and their journey.
By removing the traditional accessories of a full-scale production, Connecticut Stage Company aims to highlight the emotional depth and richness of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved story, allowing audiences to connect with the characters on a deeper level, “The storytelling is really laid bare in a really thrilling way you don’t typically see in a full musical production,” said Kate.
Tickets for Little Women in Concert are available at www.ConnecticutStageCompany.org. Audiences are encouraged to take this opportunity to experience the timeless tale of sisterhood and resilience brought to life by Connecticut Stage Company’s exceptional cast and crew. Follow @ctstageco for updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses into this exciting production.
