DANVERS — The story of the March sisters will be shown onstage at Danvers High School this weekend through a musical take on a classic tale.
The DHS Academy Theatre Society’s performance of “Little Women: The Musical” will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. Tickets cost $18 for adults and $12 for students and seniors.
The play follows the plot of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 book “Little Women” and its story of the fictional March sisters Meg, Jo, Amy and Beth.
While the girls are vastly different in character, their tale of love and tenacity while their father is away serving in the Civil War, and as they grow into adulthood, has been a literary standout over the decades.
“I’ve always really loved the book — I’m a big reader, and I love Meg,” said senior Elena Langella, who plays this character known for her dutiful and sometimes jealous nature.
Langella stars alongside onstage sisters Hope Panagoulias, a freshman who plays artistic and ambitious Amy, sophomore Kaelin Hampe, cast as quiet and shy Beth, and sophomore Dailin Martinez Rodriguez, portraying the outspoken and tomboyish Jo who dreams of becoming a writer and is the main protagonist of the show.
Senior Dan Hnatowicz plays Theodore “Laurie” Laurence III, a wealthy neighbor and eventual love interest for two of the sisters.
“I love to sing, I love to dance and I like to just have fun on stage, and that’s the majority of what we do,” Hnatowicz said. “There are so many scenes where we’re acting like children and fooling around, so it’s a fun experience to just be silly on stage.”
Senior Adonis Ventura, playing Professor Bhaer, joined the club just last year. He performed again this fall because of the students he gets to work with, he said.
“There’s no reason why I’d talk to underclassmen usually, maybe besides in band, and get to know them, but it’s fun being here with them,” Ventura said. “This is something fun to do.”
This is the first DHS production in several years that hasn’t been limited by COVID-19 or been “the first one back” after pandemic restrictions were lifted — an exciting relief for the cast and crew, said senior Molly Emery, a member of the Tech Crew who is also on the student board of the club.
“It’s been totally crazy trying to figure out what normal theater is again,” she said. “This show has just gone really smoothly, and the cast and crew has all really bonded and worked super hard.”
To buy tickets online for the show, go to www.danversperformingarts.org/tickets.
Contact Caroline Enos at CEnos@northofboston.com .