By Moneli Nazeri
The beloved story of Little Women made its way to the Dana Hills Porthole Theatre from December 3–6, performing four 7 p.m. shows and an additional 2 p.m. matinee on December 6, following the lives of four unique sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March—as they grow up during the Civil War. Jo March (Juno Massimei) is bold, creative, and dreams of becoming a writer, while Meg March (Taylor Chelius) hopes for a comfortable life while caring deeply for her family; Beth March (Penelope Krueger) is quiet, gentle, and finds joy in music, and the youngest sister, Amy March (Nora Jahromi), is ambitious, artistic, and determined to make her mark on the world. Throughout the play, the March sisters face financial struggles, shifting friendships, and family changes as they learn lessons about love, independence, and supporting one another, guided by their mother and joined by their neighbor Laurie, while Jo also meets Professor Bhaer (Jason Brown), who encourages her writing and helps her discover her true voice. Massimei shared that working with the cast “was super awesome and super fun. We all became tight-knit in the end,” and Brown added that “some tears were shed definitely on closing night, but it was an amazing experience getting to know everyone and having that bonding experience.” Pham reflected on the collaborative nature of the production, saying, “Being able to work with a team helps you put on a project that no individual could put on, and that’s what makes theatre so beautiful,” while also noting that every role was played perfectly and that the show was a wonderful way to close the semester. Massimei added that Little Women is one of her favorite stories of all time and that she loved getting close with every single one of her castmates. The production highlighted the warmth of family and the strength of sisterhood, ultimately becoming a major success with over 500 tickets sold, proving how meaningful the story remains to audiences, and with ticket prices ranging from $10 to $20, the show brought an inspiring and emotional classic to life for the entire community.