By Erin Brody, Arts and Culture Editor
Theater has always been a favorite pastime for Saint Vincent students, and the campus will receive another opportunity this October to see a classical literature favorite brought to life: Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women.
Little Women is about how the four March sisters attempt to continue family life as it had been while their father is fighting in the Civil War. While Alcott wrote the original story in 1868, award-winning dramatist Marisha Chamberlain adapted the novel into a script.
“This is the perfect time to do something a little bit different,” said Professor Gregg Brandt, assistant professor of theater and director of the show.
Faculty and upperclassmen may understand this difference. It’s typical for The Players theater group to perform a murder mystery in the fall since the show dates are near Halloween, but this year, all signs pointed to a change.
“It’s always been in the back of my brain to do this show,” said Professor Brandt.
What made this year different from the traditional murder mystery was a few things: The Players is full of strong female leads this year, and COVID-19 restrictions have let up on campus.
Professor Brandt recognizes that while these restrictions have lessened, the Performing Arts Center is still taking proper care to ensure the health and safety of his actors and tech crew.
“We still have to be cautious, and we are. But it is nice to have that feeling of trying to get back to normalcy [...] especially when it comes to performing,” Professor Brandt said.
While there are many differences between murder mysteries and Little Women, Professor Brandt said this year’s play has more intimacy than plays in the past have. For example: Characters hug each other and fall in love, something that one is not likely to see when murder is involved.
Of course, like any production, the show can’t go on unless there’s a tech crew, which is a position that’s always open. Professor Brandt said that students interested in set design, sound board, or any tech position can join.
And, another factor in a great show is a great audience, and luckily for Benedictines and Saint Vincent College students, faculty, and staff, they can see the show for free as long as they present a valid ID! Adults outside of Saint Vincent College will pay $15 per ticket, and students outside of Saint Vincent College will pay $10. The shows take place Oct. 28 and Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Be sure to buy your ticket from the Box Office outside of the Performing Arts Center as soon as you can during the performance days! Many people from Latrobe and the surrounding area have shown interest in the Summer Theater series on campus, and they can’t wait to see more.
“It’s nice that people from the Latrobe area and surrounding neighborhoods will come and support,” Professor Brandt said.