MALVERN, PA; PALO ALTO, CA; PITTSBURGH, PA; and SKOKIE, IL — In an unprecedented collaborative effort, four regional theaters have jointly commissioned celebrated playwright Lauren Gunderson to adapt Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, Little Women. This new adaptation will enjoy a “rolling” world premiere with productions occurring between 2024 and 2026 in the partnering theaters’ home locales.
The first-of-its-kind co-commission involves City Theatre Company (Pittsburgh, PA), Northlight Theatre (Skokie, IL), People’s Light (Malvern, PA), and TheatreWorks Silicon Valley (Palo Alto, CA). Each theater has a history of producing Gunderson’s work, making them ideal partners for this ambitious project. This partnership exemplifies how regional nonprofit producers are adapting to post-pandemic financial realities while continuing to invest in the commissioning of new work.
The idea originated with People’s Light Producing Artistic Director Zak Berkman, who pitched the adaptation to Gunderson in 2023. Her enthusiastic response led Berkman to propose pooling resources with other theaters. “There’s nothing quite like the joy of receiving an email from Lauren Gunderson that starts with ‘Oooooh I love this idea!’” said Berkman. “I am so grateful Lauren leapt at this idea and this coalition of wonderful theatres could gather together to make it a reality. We are thrilled to be partnering with everyone.”
A draft of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women has been completed and will undergo a development workshop at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley in September 2024. The initial production will premiere at Northlight Theatre during the holiday season, with performances scheduled from November 29 to December 29, 2024, directed by Georgette Verdin. Subsequent productions will follow at TheatreWorks, City Theatre, and People’s Light.
Gunderson expressed her excitement about the project: “Little Women was one of the very first plays I did in Middle School. I played Jo, of course, and since then I’ve always had an adaptation of my own in mind. Alcott is such a radical storyteller, even as her work is often misunderstood as simply sweet Americana. I wanted this adaptation to be as spritely, robust, and surprising as Alcott and her work.”
The collaboration has drawn praise from the artistic directors of the partnering theaters. BJ Jones, Artistic Director of Northlight Theatre, remarked, “Northlight has been honored to commission and produce Lauren Gunderson’s work. When Zak called to gauge our interest in Lauren’s Little Women, it was a delightful decision.” Northlight has previously produced Gunderson’s Christmas at Pemberley trilogy and The Book of Will.
Giovanna Sardelli, Artistic Director of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, added, “TheatreWorks is thrilled to serve as one of Lauren’s artistic homes in the Bay Area. We look forward to collaborating with these powerhouse theaters to bring a fresh new look at this cherished classic to stages across the country.”
City Theatre’s Co-Artistic Director Clare Drobot shared similar sentiments: “This really is a dream team of theatrical collaborators. We are thrilled to deepen our relationship with Lauren and foster new artistic ties with People’s Light, Northlight, and TheatreWorks Silicon Valley.”
This groundbreaking adaptation promises to blend the romance, wit, and brasenness of Alcott’s novel with the fresh agility and intimacy of the stage, offering audiences a compelling new take on a beloved classic.
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