Hershey, Pa. – Hershey Area Playhouse is proud to present its 15th production, Little Women: Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy at the Rose Room of Country Meadows of Hershey March 11-13 and March 18-20.Tickets are $12 and available at the door. Groups of 20 or more may purchase tickets in advance for $10 each.

Directed by Hummelstown native Pamela Schwentker Waters, the show follows a script based on the first volume of the classic book Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Little Women: Meg, Jo, Beth & Amy was written by Lancaster resident Sandra Fenichel Asher, who will be in attendance opening night. Guests may arrive at 7 p.m. opening night to enjoy a special complimentary pre-show discussion with the author.

A window of time, a year in the life of the endearing March family, is portrayed as they face the daily sibling struggles and family concerns. It was a time when the world was at war, Father was away, money was scarce and good friends from next-door make all the difference in the sisters' lives.

“The script of this delightful family play is perfect: quite true to Louisa May Alcott's tale, but not overly ambitious,” said Waters. “As for this production of it, you just can't complain if more than 100 people come to audition for 19 roles! We got the cream of a very talented crop, and the show is coming together marvelously,” she added.

Amy Reitnouer, Brianne Wilburne, Erin Kelly, Pamela Ritter and Susan Oscilowski (seated). (Photo by Michael Feldser)

The role of Jo will be played by Hummelstown resident and Playhouse veteran, Brianne Wilburne. Meg will be played by Amy Reitnouer of Lebanon, Beth by Pamela Ritter of Landisville, and Amy by Erin Kelly of Harrisburg. Palmyra resident Susan Oscilowski and Bob York of Highspire are cast as Marmee and Mr. March. Colleen Mullikin, of Hummelstown, plays Aunt March and Sherman Hawkins of Hershey is Mr. Laurence. Hershey resident Nellie Horetsky will play the role of friend Kate. Hummelstown residents Kait Dougherty (Annie), Chelsea Stoner (Grace), Billye Howard (Hannah), Nick Vickroy (Laurie) and Ryan Hartzfeld (Fred) join the production. Jillian Kinsey (Kitty) of Middletown and Jim Bush (John Brooke) of Elizabethtown were cast, as were Jillian Hand (Sallie) of Enola, Micah Chambers (Frank) of Harrisburg, and Colin York (Ned) of Highspire. “I see myself in the character of Jo, since she is always energetic, creative, and sometimes a bit rebellious,” said Brianne Wilburne. “It's amazing to me how much of my personality is reflected in Jo,” she added. The show is produced by Theresa Ridge. Tim Banis is sound designer, Lee Tinkey is props mistress, Marley Amstutz is stage manager, Leesa Quarry is the costumer, Theresa Ridge is lighting designer, and the dance consultant is Amy Reitnouer. The set is designed by Ken Skelly, programs are being handled by Jeannie Kollar, publicity and advertising are being done by Mary Lynn Morrison and Susan Cort. Debbie Nifong and Tracey Howard are house managers, and Anne Masorti and Carol Teufel are managing the box office. For more information contact the Hershey Area Playhouse at 533-8525.