CINCINNATI (Jan. 5, 2026) – Audiences can experience the classic novel Little Women as it’s being written in a playful and theatrical new adaptation that puts author Louisa May Alcott in the spotlight. LOUISA MAY ALCOTT’S LITTLE WOMEN, presented by Fifth Third Bank, begins in previews Jan. 17. The co-production with Portland Center Stage runs through Feb. 15. Opening night is Jan. 22.
In this production adapted by Lauren M. Gunderson, Louisa May Alcott plays Jo March, recounting how she wrote her famous novel for her real-life sisters, who portray the characters inspired by them. As they come of age during the Civil War under the loving guidance of Marmee, ambitious Jo, traditional Meg, gentle Beth and spirited Amy balance their sisterly bonds with their distinct personalities.
Gunderson is one of America’s most produced playwrights, known for hit plays that often put spirited, courageous women center stage. Playhouse audiences may remember Gunderson’s work from The Revolutionists and Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley.
“Lauren’s adaptation honors the beauty and longing of Alcott’s novel while also digging into its urgency,” Playhouse Associate Artistic Director Joanie Schultz, who directs the production, explains. “Louisa May Alcott wrote these women with such compassion and honesty. They aren’t archetypes. They’re contradictions, which make them relatable and timeless.”
The timeless tale of family, resilience and a determined young writer finding her way will shine anew onstage at Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre through an energetic and novelistic approach using dialogue, description and interior thoughts just as Alcott wrote them. New City Chicago said of the play, “The wit and complexity of Alcott’s characters come alive.”
“The challenge, and the gift, is letting go of what we think we know about Little Women,” Schultz said. “We all have images of these characters from past adaptations, but my job is to find the truth of who they are right now, with this cast, in this space. That means making bold, specific choices that allow these people to feel fully alive, not frozen in someone else’s vision.”
ARTISTS
Beasley* as Louisa/Jo
Kieran Cronin* as John/Mr. Laurence/Mr. March/Friedrich
Hannah Fawcett* as Meg
Connan Morrissey* as Marmee/Aunt March
Sammy Rat Rios* as Amy
Rocco Weyer* as Laurie
Brianna Woods* as Beth/Fight and Dance Captain
Lauren M. Gunderson – Playwright
Joanie Schultz – Director
Chelsea M. Warren – Set Designer
Lucy Wells – Costume Designer
Sarah Hughey – Lighting Designer
T. Carlis Roberts – Sound Designer/Composer
Vanessa Severo – Movement Director/Intimacy Coach
Kamilah Bush – Dramaturg
Brooke Redler* – Stage Manager
Carolyn Fast* – Assistant Stage Manager
Andrea L. Shell* – Assistant Stage Manager
Portland Center Stage – Co-Producer
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
TICKETS
Tickets begin at $35.00. Preview performances take place Jan. 17, 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. Prices vary depending on performance. Opening performance is Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Regular performances will take place on Tuesdays-Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. A matinee performance will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 1 p.m. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Playhouse Box Office at 513-421-3888 (toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana at 800-582-3208) or visit www.cincyplay.com. Patrons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled: dial 711 to connect to the Box Office via Ohio Relay Services.
EVENTS
Mid-Season Preview with Blake Robison and Joanie Schultz
Monday, January 12 at 7 p.m.
Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 2692 Madison Road
Get an exclusive preview of all the upcoming productions at the Playhouse from Osborn Family Producing Artistic Director Blake Robison and Associate Artistic Director Joanie Schultz. Enjoy a lively conversation and hear inside information about the behind-the-scenes magic that will bring our winter and spring productions to life on stage. The evening includes ticket giveaways and free Playhouse swag! The event is FREE. Reservations aren’t required but appreciated. Register
Preview Performances
Be among the first to see the show before opening night and save! Preview performance tickets are discounted.
Opening Night
Share the excitement of Thursday opening nights!
Thu., Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m.
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BonBonerie Afternoon Tea
Jan. 24, Jan. 31 and Feb. 7
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Performance at 2 p.m.
Join us for a delightful experience featuring an array of handcrafted delicacies paired with three signature teas: BonBonerie Blend, a rich black tea; Cherry Rose, a fragrant green tea; and Blueberry, a soothing caffeine-free option.
Adult menu: An assortment of our delicate finger sandwiches including cucumber and Borsin cheese, veggie cream cheese with red pepper, and ham and Swiss on an angel biscuit; a petite scone with clotted cream and jam; a fruit cup; and handcrafted pastries from the BonBonerie bakery.
Child menu: Peanut butter and jelly and turkey and Colby finger sandwiches and a handmade cutout cookie.
Cost is $35 for adults and $24 for children 12 and under, which doesn’t include tickets to the play (sold separately). A reservation is required five days before the event.
To purchase the BonBonerie Afternoon Teas as an add-on (without a ticket to the show) click here.
Sat., Jan. 24 at 12:30 p.m.
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Sat., Jan. 31 at 12:30 p.m.
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Sat., Feb. 7 at 12:30 p.m.
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Teen Day
Saturday, January 24, 2026
- Personal Monologue Writing Workshop, 11 a.m.
- Refreshments, 12:30 p.m.
- Performance, 2 p.m.
Calling all theatre teens! Invite the teens in your life to a special Teen Day inspired by our production of LOUISA MAY ALCOTT’S LITTLE WOMEN. Teens will channel their inner Jo — bold, curious and fiercely creative — as they explore their own voice and craft a monologue rooted in their own experiences and imagination. This dynamic personal monologue writing workshop starts at 11 a .m. and will be led by Beasley, the actor who plays Jo in Playhouse’s production. After the workshop, the teens will enjoy free pizza, then settle in for the 2 p.m. matinee performance. Reservations required. The cost is $25 for teens for the workshop and a ticket to the performance. Simply add a full-price teen ticket and a workshop registration to your cart. The discount will be applied automatically at checkout.
Reservations required.
Sat., Jan. 24 at 2 p.m.
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Expert Experiences: The Art of Adaptation with Tatiana Godfrey
Monday, January 26, 2026, from 7 – 8:30 p.m.
$30
Have you ever read a book and thought, “that would make a great play,” but didn’t know where to start? In the theatre world, adaptation is the process of reinterpreting a work of art into a piece of theatre. Join Playhouse Literary Manager and dramaturg Tatiana Godfrey in exploring the concept of adaptation in reference to our production of LOUISA MAY ALCOTT’S LITTLE WOMEN and try your hand at writing your own adaptation. Writing implements and paper will be provided. Participants are also welcome to bring a laptop to write on if they prefer.
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Art Talks (Formerly Meet the Artists)
Stay after select performances for a behind-the-scenes discussion with members of the artistic team.
Sun., Jan. 25 at 2 p.m.
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Thu., Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m.
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Wed., Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
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Solo Night
Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026
Meet-up from 6 – 7 p.m. is $10 with show ticket.
Performance at 7:30 p.m.
Attend the theatre solo, but not alone! Join us for our SOLO NIGHT. It’s a meet-up with others who share a love of theatre but may not always know someone with the same interests to come along. Enjoy HALF-PRICE on your single seat to the show on Tuesday, Feb. 3, and join us from 6–7 p.m. in the Kaplan Lobby for a pre-show reception with other solos that includes drink specials and light snacks. Come as strangers, leave as friends!
If you are a season ticket holder or already purchased a ticket to attend alone, consider exchanging to join the preshow meet-up. Call the Box Office at 513-421-3888 to exchange your date and reserve your spot.
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College Night
Thu., Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Join other students who love theatre at College Night and enjoy an exclusive post-show gathering with an artist from the show. College students can purchase advance tickets for just $15 and stay after the performance for a curated discussion with one of the artists — and free pizza! Student ID required.
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Audio-Described Performance
Sat., Feb. 7 at 2 p.m.
Trained volunteers describe the visual elements of the production via a hearing enhancement system, allowing patrons to hear dialogue, music and other sound effects. The description is timed to avoid interfering with dialogue. Before the show and during intermission, show and actor information are shared.
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Signed ASL Performance
Sun., Feb. 8 at 2 p.m.
Each Rouse Theatre production offers one signed ASL performance during the show’s run.
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Read Between the Wines Book Club
Thu., Feb. 12, 6 p.m. (7:30 p.m. performance)
Join us in reading and discussing Little Women by Louisa May Alcott at our pre-show Read Between the Wines Book Club. Enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres and a fun book discussion facilitated by a member of the Playhouse artistic staff. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the discussion runs 6:15 – 7 p.m. in the Kaplan Lobby. Cost is $25 per person, which includes the hors d’oeuvres, two glasses of wine and doesn’t include a ticket to the play (sold separately). Reservations required. You don’t have to attend the play that evening to join the Book Club!
Thu., Feb. 12 at 6 p.m.
Event Only
Thu., Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
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ADVISORY
LOUISA MAY ALCOTT’S LITTLE WOMEN is recommended for ages 11 and up. Following the events of the novel, the play features sisterly bonds, friendships, romances and losses as the March sisters come of age in Civil War-era Massachusetts. There are brief instances of mild onstage violence and some mature themes.
SPONSORS
Presented by Fifth Third Bank. Production Sponsors are Johnson Investment Counsel and Clark Schaeffer Hackett. Honorary Producers are Eddie and Pat Sheppard. Artist Sponsor is Thomas J. Breed. The 2025-26 Rouse Theatre Season is presented by The Schueler Group. Rouse Season Design Sponsor is Kerry Automotive.
The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of almost 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation.
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Due to unforeseen circumstances, The Human Race Theatre Company will no longer be presenting Contradiction of The Southern Soul, originally scheduled for March 2026. Contradiction was a special presentation and not a part of the subscription series.
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