Shaler Area students present virtual performance of classic tale 'Little Women'

Shaler Area Theater Director Anne Loudon never expected to produce one of her favorite shows, “Little Women,” because of its small cast.

Ironically, covid-19 and its accompanying restrictions changed that.

“I have wanted to do this show for years, however, we usually like to produce a larger show to give more students an opportunity to participate,” Loudon said. “With (the pandemic) bearing down upon us, working with a small cast is ideal.”

Shaler Area students will present the classic tale, albeit virtually, Nov. 20 and 21.

Performances will be 7 p.m. on Nov. 20; and 2 and 7 p.m. on Nov. 21.

Tickets for the livestream are $10 per person or $25 for a family and can be purchased online at showtix4u.com/events/SApresents.

Loudon said the cast is well-suited for the roles in the famous Louisa May Alcott story, which follows the lives of the four March sisters as they navigate growing into adulthood while mastering domestic roles, careers and love.

Rehearsal for the show has been in-person but with masks and social distancing, which Loudon said hasn’t provided too many obstacles.

“The greatest challenge remains keeping our cast and crew healthy so we can perform,” she said. “Despite the challenges and uncertainty, they have remained undaunted. The show must go on.”

Loudon said she has never been more proud of a group of students as they emerged to design costumes, create the set, block scenes and provide additional direction to their classmates.

Senior Caitlin Fedorek designed the set and said she is so happy to have had the chance to make sure the stage didn’t go dark this fall.

“With this show especially, student talent is truly able to shine through,” Fedorek said. “Having designed the set and led the construction of it, it has been amazing to watch everyone work together so smoothly to make this show work.”

Fedorek’s first foray into theater came as a freshman, and she said it has been a joy to learn about each aspect of production and the importance of each role. She prefers to put in her time behind the scenes rather than on stage, particularly making sure the set and props are changed on cue.

“It is fun working on creating the set, learning the underlying importance and symbolism of certain elements of the set such as the squares in this set representing the importance of the four March sisters, each having a side,” Fedorek said. “Seeing artistic ability shine is wonderful to experience, especially when not many get to experience that firsthand.”

Cast as the March daughters are junior Cassidy Laffey as Meg, senior Zoe Babbit as Jo, junior Mia Masucci as Beth and junior Flannery Loudon as Amy.

The performance will also feature seniors Abby Sawa as Marmee, Sonny DeMasi as Laurie and Lexi Costanza as the narrator.

“Being on stage with my friends and being able to bring a story to life is the most magical feeling,” Laffey said. “It makes you feel like you are a part of something so much bigger than yourself, and the emotions that it brings are indescribably euphoric.”

She said the audience will likely adore the March sisters and the love between them.

“There is such a warm feeling that stems from the sisters and their affection for each other,” she said. “Plus, there are so many different plot lines, from the various love stories to the showcase of early feminism, so everyone is bound to enjoy parts of it.”

Senior Alaina Donovan is overseeing costume design and said getting to hand-pick looks that connect the entire production is worth the daunting work.

“Getting to work on costumes for ‘Little Women’ has been one of the most amazing and challenging experiences I’ve ever had, and I’ve learned so much about not only myself but what it means to be a designer,” Donovan said.

“It’s so exciting to think about how costumes that I’ve put so many hours into will be on display under the stage lights.”

Donovan is in her fourth year participating in high school theater. It would probably surprise people to learn how much behind-the-scenes work goes into putting on a successful stage show, she said.

“Every piece is essential,” she said. “There’s such a warm feeling when the show is complete and you get to watch it for the first time and see all the hours of work and all the effort that was put into it come together. It’s really magical.”