Gaia Martin del Fresno as Amy, Sierra Farnham as Beth, Alexa Dimoulas as Meg, and Lilly Battista as JoThe cast of the University Players production of Little Women features March sisters Gaia Martin del Fresno as Amy, Sierra Farnham as Beth, Alexa Dimoulas as Meg, and Lilly Battista as Jo. Photo by Knelsen Photo.

University Players to stage timeless tale of love, loss, and sisterhood

University Players presents Little Women, a heart-warming adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel, March 15 to 24 in the Essex Hall Theatre.

This production promises to captivate audiences with its poignant storytelling and memorable characters. Little Women, written by Marian de Forest, brings to life the March sisters — Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy — as they navigate the challenges of womanhood during the tumultuous era of the American Civil War. Woven with themes of love, loss, and sisterly bonds, this classic story celebrates resilience, friendship, and the indomitable spirit of family.

Admission starts at $20 with a student rate of $10; available for purchase online.

The show features students of the School of Dramatic Art from various degree programs and represents an immersive experiential learning opportunity that helps students put classroom theories into action. Students rehearse over a period of several weeks under the guidance of guest director Kerry Ann Doherty, a working professional in the industry with an extensive list of credits across Canada and the UK.

The experience provides them with essential career-focused work experience and prepares them to enter the workforce with valuable skills.

Doherty shares her passion for this classic story and the concept for the show: “We get the best of the book on the stage. It’s a story of love, a family who go through really hard times and yet bring out the best in each other.”

She emphasizes the love and care in the piece, hoping that theatregoers will enjoy this feel-good family story.

“Wrapping the audience in a big blanket of love, that’s what I’m hoping to do,” she says.

Watch an interview with Doherty as she shares insights into the creative process and her vision for Little Women.