Little Women
Hale Center Theater OremView digital playbillJul 10, 2020 – Sep 12, 2020
Music director's note (Korianne Orton Johnson): It is such a privilege to music direct this beautiful and timeless classic for the second time here at this theater. I’m sad to say that I didn’t grow up on Alcott’s classic novel “Little Women”, however I finally read it back in 2008 when I first MD’d the show for HCTO. This was the time I fell in love with Jo’s fiery spirit, Meg’s classic beauty, Amy’s daring charm, and Beth’s giving heart. As a music director, I get to fall in love with each composers’ brilliance as I am teach- ing and coaching the cast through the show. Little Women is no exception. Every song is cleverly crafted to further the story and give us a deeper glimpse into each char- acters’ journey. One of my favorites, being “Something’s Are Meant to Be”. When I was little, my grandmother had a beautiful big conch shell that she had gotten from my grandfather on one of his adven- tures. She would have me hold it to my hear and said I was hearing the ocean from where it came. This always fascinated me…taking me to a far away place. Similarly, Beth gives a shell to Jo before the song and exclaims, that the shell is saying we all grow up too fast. We do grow up too fast! Life goes by too fast! During this time of uncertainty and confu- sion, we have been given the opportunity to pause… to spend time in our own ‘attics’ and truly think about what we want for our future. On a personal note, this will mark my 16th show that I have music directed at the Hale Center Theater in Orem and my 32nd show overall at this charming place. I consider HCTO my own personal attic of sorts. A place that has given me oppor- tunities to grow and make mistakes….a place where I have “found all the small- est details” in my art. Like Jo, this has been “as unexpected as can be” but we can all be “Astonishing”. Run July 10–September 12, 2020 (dates supplied for import). Program PDF: HCT_225.