Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women
Adapted by Lauren Gunderson from the Novel by Louisa May Alcott
Directed by Delaney Piggins
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
September 11, 2026
Amira Danan, Kristen Lintvedt, Marcia Pizzo, Andrea San Miguel, Addison Foote
Photo by Jon Gitchoff
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Little Women is supremely adaptable. It’s been made into at least four films, several TV series, and a few theatrical adaptations, including a Broadway musical. Louisa May Alcott’s story is so beloved that it’s never gone out of print, as pointed out in the adaptation by Lauren Gunderson that is now playing at the Rep, under the direction of Delaney Piggins. As staged in this lively, perfectly cast production, it’s easy to see why the story is so popular. It has memorable, relatable characters and themes that still resonate over 150 years after the novel was originally published. At the Rep, this adaptation is full of energy, humor, heart, and drama, and it’s a sheer delight from start to finish.
This version of the story has an intriguing framing device. It begins by focusing on Alcott herself (Andrea San Miguel), and her family, who are the inspiration for the story, including the sisters she names Meg (Amira Danan), Beth (Kristen Lintvedt), and Amy March (Addison Foote), who along with their mother, Marmee (Marcia Pizzo) make comments to “Lou”–as Alcott is known–about her story as it plays out, and Lou becomes Jo March. The characters also narrate the story at times as if reading from the book. Through the experiences of Jo and the close-knit March family, we also get to meet next-door neighbor boy Laurie (Jack Lancaster), who develops a strong attachment to Jo; and Laurie’s tutor John Brooke (Adam Poss), who becomes Meg’s suitor. Poss also turns up later as the kindly Professor Friedrich Bhaer, who befriends and develops an attachment to Jo later in the story.
The story is structured impressively well, with the relationships and characters all being given enough time to develop and grow. The sisterly relationships–with all their love, tensions and struggles–are extremely realistic and relatable. The romances make sense and the sadder moments are given just the right amount of weight. The performances are stellar, starting with San Miguel’s fierce, passionate portrayal of Lou/Jo, who is the center of the story without being a detriment to the other characters. Danan as the more prim, “ladylike” Meg is also excellent, as are Lintvedt as the more timid, fragile, music-loving Beth and Foote as the artistic, impulsive Amy. All of these performers age well into their roles as the years go by in the story, as well. There are also strong performances from Pizzo as the loving Marmee and the bossy Aunt March; Lancaster as the devoted, emotional Laurie; and Poss in the roles of two very different suitors who both show strong chemistry with their romantic partners.
This is simply a marvelous version of Little Women! Everything is so well done, from the acting to the pacing, to the use of music, to the wonderful production values that keep it vibrant and relatable while also credibly conveying the sense of time and place, as well as the themes of growing up, the changing roles of women in society, sisterly bonds and tensions, and more. The set by Ann Beyersdorfer is beautifully realized, and the costumes by Kotryna Hilko are remarkably detailed. There’s also excellent work from lighting designer Paige Seber, sound designer Amanda Werre, wig designer Will Vacari, choreographer Sam Gaitsch, music supervisor Kristen Lintvedt, fight director Paul Steger, and intimacy director Frankie Ferrari.
Little Women is a beloved classic no matter how many times you’ve read it or how many films or dramatic adaptations you’ve seen. Lauren Gunderson’s adaptation is particularly insightful and vibrant, and the production onstage now at the Rep is sure to delight all ages. It’s a timeless classic made all the more immediate, and it’s truly a must-see performance.
Andrea San Miguel, Jack Lancaster
Photo by Jon Gitchoff
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is presenting Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women until September 27, 2026
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