South Fork Performing Arts Presents A Musical 'Little Women'

Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. These are the names of the young women whose lives are the subject of Louisa May Alcott’s 1869 novel “Little Women.” On May 10, the 21st century teen actors of South Fork Performing Arts (SFPA) will present a full-length musical version of “Little Women” on May 10 and 11 at Southampton Cultural Center.

This 2005 Broadway version of “Little Women” has a book by Allan Knee, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and music by Jason Howland. SPFA, an educational theater program founded by Tamara Salkin and Amanda Jones, will offer the musical as a two-act black box performance with direction by Ms. Salkin and musical direction by Ms. Jones.

“There are so many straight play adaptations of this story, but this is the only musical adaptation,” explained Ms. Salkin in a recent interview. “Often, it’s hard to find a musical with a good script and beautiful music. The kids are amazing. We are bestowed with wonderful student actors. They’ve risen to the occasion.”

In their roles at SPFA, Ms. Salkin and Ms. Jones act as guides and mentors by helping young actors learn theater and vocal skills. Though the two women have been offering workshops and classes for young actors for quite some time through SPFA, this is only the second public performance and its the group’s first musical.

“It’s the most perfect first musical we could do,” said Ms. Salkin. “Everybody has a lot to do, including a solo a or duet and they all have their own scenes.”

In preparation for this production, the actors have done in-depth script, song, and character analysis. The teens also make stagecraft decisions in terms of costumes, sets, props, and sound and lighting design. Actors also take charge of playbill construction and other facets of production.

“We are ecstatic to be producing our first musical,” said Ms. Salkin. “‘Little Women’ is a timeless story that everyone can relate to. Finding pearls within the story, script, and musical lyrics has been one of the best parts of rehearsals.”

The young actors are in grades 8 to 12. They include Pierson High School students Yanni Bitis, Gaylin Davey, Graham DiLorenzo, Emily Glass, Lola Lama, Anna Francesca Schiavoni and Thomas John Schiavoni Jr; Ross school student Hope Hamilton; East Hampton High School students Nora Conlon and Madeline Kane; and East Hampton Middle School student Silas Jones.

“The student actors are deciding what their characters are feeling, and how that feeling effects their movements, their intonation in the dialogue, the way they interact with their scene partners and the audience,” said Ms. Salkin. “It is an honor to watch them take on these roles and give them depth and meaning. Amanda and I couldn’t be more proud or impressed with how they have met and exceeded our expectations with their acting and singing.”

“Little Women” will be performed by the young actors of South Fork Performing Arts on Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11 at 7 p.m. at Southampton Cultural Center, 25 Pond Lane, Southampton. Tickets are $20 (students $10) at scc-arts.org. A dinner theater package is available for $65 at The Plaza Café (61 Hill Street, 631-283-9323) or Claude’s at the Southampton Inn (91 Hill St., 631-283-1166).