‘Little Women’ the Musical Comes to Scotch Plains, NJ

‘Little Women’ the musical is coming to Scotch Plains, NJ on Thursday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. The musical is based on one of the most popular novels in the U.S. by Louisa May Alcott. “Little Women” will open on Thursday and additional performances will be held on Friday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 31 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Performances will be at the Black Box Theatre, Academy for Performing Arts, Union County Vocational-Technical Schools, 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

“Little Women” is based on the family experiences of Louisa May Alcott and is the story of the March sisters – Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy – as they grow up in Civil War America. The production is directed by Juan Pineda, a veteran of Broadway, who has been directing and teaching in New Jersey for many years and Valerie Pineda, a professional opera singer, director and music editor as well as the founder of the Pineda Lyric Opera.

The cast includes 21 high school performers representing various towns within Union County. The talented cast is led by Giulanna Viera as Jo, Samantha Tropper and Camila Bermudez as Meg, Morgan Kelleher as Amy, Katie Lafemina as Beth, Madison Riley and Megan Winey as Marmee, Andrea Moore as Aunt March, Ryan Keil as Laurie, Connor Buckley as Mr. Lawrence and Daniel Cohen as Professor Bhaer. This musical performance will be the second for the Academy in Scotch Plains.

Director Juan Pineda said the choice of Little Women was a great one for the APA. The story deals with matters that are as important today as they were when the novel was written. “This has been a great learning experience for the entire cast. We are celebrating the lives of all women; the home-maker, the worker, the mother, the sister, the wife and the friend,” said Ms. Pineda.

Attendees of the performances will enjoy a lobby museum created by cast members and volunteers honoring great women in U.S. history. The museum will also provide an area for young girls and boys to design a journal of their own and for decorating kites. All seats for the performance in Scotch Plains are $11 and may be purchased at http://www.apamusicals.eventbrite.com/.