SCHS’s drama department ended the year with a bang, with an adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel “Little Women.”  Breaking away from the usual four-performance run, this play ran only last Friday and Saturday.  

The novel and play both follow the protagonists, the March sisters – the oldest, Margaret or “Meg,” the second oldest, Josephine or “Jo,” Elizabeth or “Beth”, and the youngest, Amy.  Their once wealthy family has ended up in genteel poverty because their father lost their money helping friends who couldn’t repay their debt.

Set during the American Civil War, Robert March, the father, is off fighting for the Union Army while the March sisters and their mother, Margaret or “Marmee” and their servant, Hannah, carry on with their lives in their quiet, rural New England community.

The drama department nailed the set, showing the family’s tough times and their newly lowered standards. Not exactly poverty, but genteel poverty, which is basically the rich falling into the middle class.

Sophomore Julianna Morin, playing Marmee, successfully fulfilled the role of matriarch.  Morin portrayed a wise, understanding, dedicated, and caring family leader.  Her performance was like seeing the ultimate  role model for moms everywhere.

Freshman Laine Russell, another promising newcomer, made a great first impression with her humble, down to earth performance as Hannah, the family servant.   She is bound to carry on her older sister Logan’s acting legacy as a jewel of the drama department.   

Anirudh Tanugula, with his dominating presence, first struck me as a senior and I was shocked to discover he was only a freshman.  Tanugula played the all-American boy next door, Theodore “Laurie” Laurence, who moved in with his grandfather after trying to run away from school to join the army.  Tanugula’s performance was that of a seasoned actor due to his dramatic presentation of the character.  

Junior Sunny Gandotra, with her youthful and cute appearances and mannerisms, perfectly captured the youngest March sister Amy.  Gandotra reflected Amy’s status as the baby of the family, both in appearance and behavior.

Sophomore Bela Niblock perfectly performed Beth as the little woman whose potential is often overlooked.  

Sophomore Maddy Sands’s performance as the oldest sister, Meg, successfully projected the strict, stern and conservative attitude of oldest sisters everywhere.

The talent on display among the rookies such as Russell who were in this production promise that the drama department is in good hands for upcoming years.

As for the veteran actors,the best performance came from the lone senior, Logan Russell, who plays the tomboyish, second oldest March sister, Jo.  Russell put on a fiery portrayal of Jo, perfectly capturing Jo’s development from a wild tomboy with a temper to a more tamed and calm “little woman.” Russell was by far the guiding light of this play, not only because of her veteran acting skills, but also because she directed the production.

“Little Women” was a great, heartwarming, feel-good play that was a perfect end to the drama department’s 2015-16 season.