Little Women - The Musical Will Go Straight to Broadway from Duke University
DURHAM, N.C. – Little Women - The Musical will move directly from its run at Duke University’s Reynolds Theater to Broadway’s Virginia Theatre. The musical, which debuts in Durham Oct. 13-31, will begin previews in New York on Dec. 2.
Theater Previews at Duke, the producing arm of the Duke University Department of Theater Studies, is co-producing the musical with Randall L.Wreghitt, Dani Davis and Ken Gentry.
“We are especially delighted to have the theater confirmed on Broadway,” says Zannie Voss, theater professor and the producing director at Duke. “There is always a sense of risk involved when you commit to developing new plays and musicals. Knowing that Little Women has an exciting, guaranteed life beyond Duke speaks volumes about the show’s promise and the caliber of the creative team.”
Little Women was previously scheduled to preview at the Virginia Theatre on Dec. 10, but the earlier date allows for an extra week in the busy holiday season when theatergoers are looking for family-friendly entertainment.
The show will be directed by Broadway veteran Susan H. Schulman (The Sound of Music, The Secret Garden, Violet). The libretto is by Allan Knee, music by Jason Howland and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein. The design team includes accomplished Broadway artists Derek McLane (sets), Catherine Zuber (costumes), Kenneth Posner (lighting) and Peter Hylenski (sound).
Based on the beloved Louisa May Alcott classic, the musical will star Tony Award-winner Sutton Foster as Jo March. Foster stole the hearts of Broadway fans as Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie to earn her Tony. Famed singer-actress Maureen McGovern will star as the resilient mother, Marmee, who guides her daughters in Civil War-era New England.
Rehearsals begin locally Sept. 7. Duke University students have the opportunity to intern in producing, directing, stage managing, marketing and all technical aspects of theater required to bring a production from the pages of a script to the stage. (http://www.duke.edu/web/drama/ for more information or to purchase tickets.)
