Presents
Little Women
Adapted by Frank Farrell
Based on a play by Marian de Forest
Based on the book by Louisa May Alcott
PLACE & TIME:
The sitting room of the March home in Concord, Massachusetts,
1863 – 1866
&
The apple orchard, Plumfield in 1868
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Beth March, Aunt March & Hannah - Jennifer Kim
Jo March – Lee DeCecco
Meg March – Marilyn Feerick
Amy March – Haley Karlich
Mrs. March – Lynn Manuell
John Brooke & Laurie – Aaron Galloza
Mr. March & Professor Bhaer – Chris Davis
Directed by Frank Farrell
Costume Designer – Julia Sharp
WHO’S WHO IN LITTLE WOMEN
Louisa May Alcott (Author of Little Women) was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania on November 29, 1832. She and her three sisters, Anna, Elizabeth, and May were educated by their father, philosopher/ teacher Bronson Alcott, and raised on the practical Christianity of their mother, Abigail May. Louisa spent her childhood in Boston and in Concord, Massachusetts, where her days were enlightened by visits to Ralph Waldo Emerson’s library, excursions into nature with Henry David Thoreau, and theatricals in the barn at 'Hillside' (now Hawthorne’s 'Wayside'). Like her character, 'Jo March' in Little Women, young Louisa was a tomboy. 'No boy could be my friend till I had beaten him in a race,' she claimed, 'and no girl if she refused to climb trees, leap fences ...' For Louisa, writing was an early passion. She had a rich imagination and often her stories became melodramas that she and her sisters would act out for friends. Louisa preferred to play the 'lurid' parts in these plays --'the villains, ghosts, bandits, and disdainful queens.' At age 15, troubled by the poverty that plagued her family, she vowed: 'I will do something by and by. Don’t care what, teach, sew, act, write, anything to help the family; and I’ll be rich and famous and happy before I die, see if I won’t!' Confronting a society that offered little opportunity to women seeking employment, Louisa determined, '... I will make a battering-ram of my head and make my way through this rough and tumble world.' Whether as a teacher, seamstress, governess, or household servant, for many years Louisa did any work she could find. Louisa’s career as an author began with poetry and short stories that appeared in popular magazines. In 1854, when she was 22, her first book Flower Fables was published. A milestone along her literary path was Hospital Sketches (1863), based on the letters she had written home from her post as a nurse in Washington, DC during the Civil War. When Louisa was 35 years old, her publisher in Boston, Thomas Niles, asked her to write 'a book for girls.' Little Women was written at Orchard House from May to July 1868. The novel is based on Louisa and her sisters’ coming of age and is set in Civil War New England. 'Jo March' was the first American juvenile heroine to act from her own individuality --a living, breathing person rather than the idealized stereotype then prevalent in children’s fiction. In all, Louisa published over 30 books and collections of stories. She died on March 6, 1888, only two days after her father, and is buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord.
Marian de Forest (February 27, 1864 – February 17, 1935) (Playwright and Adaptor) was an American journalist, playwright, major force in the progressive women's movement, and founder of Zonta (later Zonta International), a service organization of women professionals. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2001. She graduated from Buffalo Seminary in 1884. Thereafter, she became one of the first female reporters in Western New York State and wrote for The Buffalo Evening News and then with The Buffalo Commercial. As a leading playwright, she supported women's role in the theater. This included writing roles for women including her play Little Women which was adapted from the novel of the same name by Louisa May Alcott and was first staged on Broadway in 1912. It was subsequently revived on Broadway in 1917, 1931, 1944, and 1946, and was frequently performed in regional theatres in the United States during the 20th century. De Forest also co-founded the Buffalo Musical Foundation, thereby bringing the American Opera Company to Western New York. She also played a prominent role in the formation of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1919, she founded Zonta, "a service organization of executive women working to improve the legal, political, economic and professional status of women worldwide." Zonta is a Lakota Sioux Indian word that means "honest and trustworthy." In one of her early speeches, de Forest explained, "Zonta stands for the highest standards in the business and professional world ... seeks cooperation rather than competition and considers the Golden Rule not only good ethics but good business". De Forest envisioned Zonta to become an international organization. In her own words, "This is the woman's age and in distant lands and foreign climes women of all nations are rallying to the call … Zonta is given the opportunity of uniting them into one great, glorious whole."
CHRIS DAVIS (Mr. March and Professor Bhaer) recently dragged his hopes, dreams, and the love of his life, Jordan (whom he met professionally Christmas caroling), from Chicago to the Big Apple. With him, he hauls heaps of murder mystery company expertise and a lengthy regional theatre resume that includes Julian Marsh in 42nd Street (Colorado), Captain von Trapp in Sound of Music (OCTC in New Jersey), Ernst in Cabaret (TATC in Indiana), Frederick in Pirates of Penzance (Navy Pier), Count Carl-Magnus in A Little Night Music, Aaron in First Date, and the Dentist in Little Shop (Williams Street Rep in Illinois.) Chris played Teague two years ago in FIRST FLIGHT'S Valley Forge, and recently joined several First Flight folks in Mystery of the Mosaic Bridge at the Players Theatre. You can visit him at www.misterchristopherjohndavis.com.
LEE DECECCO (Jo March) is very excited to be joining the cast of Little Women. Lee is a graduate of the Montclair State University BFA Acting Program and studied improv comedy during their time. They have appeared in multiple theatrical productions around the NY and NJ area, including Walt Kelly’s Songs of Pogo (NYC Fringe), RIFT or White Lies (Luna Stage), Tin Cat Shoes (Nutley Little Theatre) and others. Lee would like to thank the cast and crew of Little Women, and they would like to thank you for taking the time to come see some theatre!
FRANK FARRELL (Adaptor, Director & Artistic Director of the First Flight Theatre Company) recently produced and directed Walt Kelly’s Songs of the Pogo as part of the New York City Fringe Festival. He was an actor in Chicago for 40 years receiving three Joseph Jefferson acting nominations and recently returned to NYC where he was born. While in Chicago he directed and produced plays for Free Shakespeare Theatre Company, Temporary Theatre, Shakespeare’s Herd, Steppenwolf Theater, Raven Theatre, Equity Library Theater Chicago, the North Lakeside Players and Theatre-Hikes. Frank has formed six theater companies along the way including the Free Shakespeare Theatre Company, Chicago’s first year-round Shakespeare theatre company, Theatre-Hikes in Chicago and, in Grand Haven, Michigan, the Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company. In NYC he wrote, directed and produced Forgotten Soldiers from Our Forgotten War for the seventh theatre company he has formed, the First Flight Theatre Company. For FFTC he also coordinated several stage readings of Maxwell Anderson’s plays in New York City, New Jersey and Chicago and directed and produced 2022’s production of Maxwell Anderson’s play Valley Forge. His Zoom film In the Garden of Live Flowers recently won Best Biopic at the Green Academy Awards Film Festival. In late August in NYC, he is producing Hamlet on the Run and producing and directing Tongs and Bones Shakespeare in September as part of the Dream Up Festival at the Theater of the New City. He has published several books including Forgotten Soldiers from Our Forgotten War, What Price Glory and this version of Little Women, all available at Amazon.com.
MARILYN FEERICK (Meg March) is from the Bronx and excited to work on Little Women with First Flight so soon after graduating from SUNY Albany's theatre department. Previous credits include The Glass Menagerie (Laura), Twelfth Night (Viola), Taming of the Shrew (Tranio), and The Wolves (#13). She's grateful for the opportunity to tell a story about strong women, and is thankful to the crew and cast, as well as her loved ones for supporting her through it all.
AARON GALLOZA (John Brooke and Laurie Laurence) is originally from Paterson NJ. In high school he performed in a comedic contemporary short play called Squad Goals written by Don Zolidis. After his short time on stage and the pandemic of COVID 19 happened, Aaron graduated high school and enrolled in community college for business and gave up on his passion for art. Still looking for a way to express himself creatively Aaron heard about AMDA and decided to audition. After auditioning Aaron was accepted and graduated from AMDA with a certificate in Musical Theatre.
HALEY KARLICH (Amy March) is a performer of live theatre, TV & film. Past performances with First Flight include Cleo in Walt Kelly’s Songs of the Pogo, Ellen in Gypsy, Bobby in Saturday’s Children, Desdemona in Shakespeare’s Ladies at Tea, & Fight Captain for Shakespeare’s Deaths. Other recent credits include May in Olivia Brennan’s short DEVOUR (Winner of the “Best Actress Award” at Brightside Tavern Film Festival ‘24), Amanda in Investigation Discoveries’ Mean Girl Murders (S2E3), Pepper in Nutley Little Theatre’s Tin Cat Shoes, & Stella in Tiny Viking Production’s The Ghost Light. She’s also an experienced PA, director, vocalist, combat & voiceover artist; appearing throughout the Radio Repertory Company of America’s Anne Manx audio series, as well as dramas produced by Cape Swoosh Productions.
JENNIFER KIM (Beth March, Aunt March and Hannah) is a NYC-based actress. Her recent roles include two roles in Thornton Wilder's short plays (Linda in "Love and How to Cure It" and Diana in "Cement Hands"); Neil in Maxwell Anderson's Valley Forge; Juliet in the comedy, How to Survive a Shakespeare Play; Lady Torminster in Alfred Sutro's The Open Door; Announcer #2 in a public reading of Orson Welles' War of the Worlds; Bob Cratchit, Marley, and others in a three-actor performance of A Christmas Carol; and Denaya in the NY Summerfest short play "Take the R Train."
LYNN MANUELL (Mrs. March) is thrilled to be reprising the role of Mrs. March here at the Hermitage. She has appeared in over 50 shows in New York, London and Chicago. She has appeared in numerous shows for Genoveva Productions, FACT Theatre and First Flight. Favorite roles include Tess in Vanishing Tess, Miss Lovely in Umbrella in the Snow, Martha in If the Pink Pump Fits, Celia in As You Like It and Mama in High Button Shoes at the Illinois Theater Center. Her cd RETURN TO LOVE is on original cast records. Her book Standing Tall- the emails and creative writings of 9/11 is available on Amazon and was made into a play to raise money for the 9/11 Fund.
JULIA SHARP (Costumer), a retired professor of fashion, is pleased to be working on Little Women with Frank and this group of talented actors. She has costumed over 50 plays for the professional (Equity) theater at Centenary University and numerous plays for community groups. Last year she won a Perry Award for the costumes for Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play. Among her favorite credits are The Cripple of Inishmaan, Deathtrap, The Ladies Man, Harvey, Light up the Sky, The Nether, Madeline’s Christmas, Born Yesterday, Frankenstein; A Modern Prometheus, Peter and the Starcatcher, Radium Girls, and the musicals Peter Pan, and A Christmas Carol. Julia is also the author of several textbooks including one on textiles, and another on the use of design elements in creating apparel and costumes.
The History of The Hermitage is one of great interest and variety. It documents vast socio-economic changes, advances and declines. It tells the story of an exciting period during the birth of our nation. The changing fortunes of one family over more than a century and a half can be read in the exhibitions of clothing, personal items and ephemera in the restored home. The Hermitage Museum and National Monument provides a view into the history of this site and all those who helped contribute to its development and posterity. https://www.thehermitage.org
FIRST FLIGHT THEATRE COMPANY is a not-for-profit company founded by Frank Farrell in 2018 and is devoted to presenting the plays of 20th century American playwright Maxwell Anderson as well as other playwrights who instill poetry in their writing. The company has performed live staged readings of Anderson’s plays in New Jersey, New York City and Chicago including Valley Forge, Elizabeth the Queen, Mary of Scotland, Sea-Wife, The Masque of Queens, White Desert, The Eve of St. Mark and Saturday’s Children. During the recent pandemic, First Flight presented play readings on Zoom for the public featuring actors from all over the United States and England. Productions streamed included Maxwell Anderson’s one-act plays The Feast of Ortolans, Second Overture, The Miracle of the Danube and Letter to Jackie. Also streamed were A Vampire Kiss in the Plague of 1666 written by James Fitzmaurice, which went on to win many awards on the film festival circuit; Salvador, a play about Salvador Dalí by Richard Young, another film festival winner; and a streaming version of Anderson’s first Broadway production White Desert. Post pandemic the company presented at The Hermitage in New Jersey outdoor productions of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Maxwell Anderson’s Valley Forge and a third reprise of Dickens by Candlelight: A Christmas Carol. For Earth Day in April of 2023 the First Flight Theatre Company presented streaming performances of In the Garden of Live Flowers, a play about Rachel Carson, which went on to be a winner at the Green Academy Award Film Festival. In June 2023 First Flight’s production of Little Women at The Hermitage was a well-attended outdoor success. In August 2023 it presented the double bill Shakespeare’s Ladies at Tea and Shakespeare’s Deaths as part of FRIGID’s Little Shakespeare Festival in NYC. In September 2023 the Chicago branch of First Flight presented a staged reading of Anderson’s Saturday’s Children. In October 2023 at The Hermitage in New Jersey and at the UNDER St. Marks Theater in NYC the company produced the one-woman play Mina based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula. In November 2023 First Flight again presented a staged reading of Saturday’s Children this time at the Under St. Marks Theater in NYC. In addition, the company and the Instant Shakespeare Company joined forces presenting play readings at New York City’s various public libraries including Anderson’s White Desert and Sea-Wife and in December 2023, First Flight presented a public reading of Maxwell Anderson’s 1924 play What Price Glory. First Flight recently published Maxwell Anderson’s plays What Price Glory and First Flight and this adaptation of Little Women, all available at Amazon.com.
Little Women adapted by Frank Farrell is now available for purchase as an eBook or paperback at Amazon.com. Book Cover Photo above features (From L to R) Jennifer Kim, Stella Berrettini, Lynn Manuell, Alexa Elmy, and Reilly Hacker as they appeared in the 2023 First Flight Theatre Company production of Little Women.
is devoted to presenting the plays of 20th century American playwright Maxwell Anderson as well as other playwrights who instill poetry in their writing. His favorite writers were Shakespeare and John Keats.
For more about First Flight visit www.firstflighttheatreco.com
Questions? Email First Flight at firstflight2018@gmail.com
SPECIAL THANKS: Andrea Kircher, Christine Blaylock and The Hermitage.
OUR 2024 DONORS: David Cantor, Pamela Coombe, Victoria Devany, Andrea Kircher and Jill Linden.
First Flight Theatre Company Press © 2024
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