Little Women - WKTV Journal

Sidney Klynstra, Ashley Amirault, Dana Pierangeli, and Emelia Shaw are the March sisters in Civc Theatre’s production of “Little Women.”

By Nancy Brozek

School may be out for the summer, but the students of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s School of Theatre Arts are still hard at work breathing new life into a literary classic and a rock n’ roll adaptation.

Join Civic Theatre as they close its 2017/18 season with performances of Little Women and School of Rock, presented by the theatre’s Summer Repertory Theatre Intensive (SRTI) from July 27 – Aug. 5. The SRTI program allows young creatives, ages 13-19, the chance to craft, produce, and perform in a main stage production, coached by theatre professionals. Students are given the opportunity to learn the art of performance through specialized dancing, singing, and acting classes. Those with an interest in the technical aspect of theatre are participating in hands on classes in set and costume design, lights and sound, and backstage crewing. Multiple weeks of work culminate in a showcase of stunning proportions, and this year’s lineup is guaranteed to delight!

Rock and roll lovers will find a kindred spirit in School of Rock’s frontman-turned-teacher Dewey Finn, as he navigates heartbreak, self-discovery, and occasional chaos on his climb back to stardom. Based on the 2003 cult comedy film, this thrilling tale reaches new heights with its musical adaptation, boasting original songs from Andrew Lloyd Weber, performed live by the multi-talented cast

Andrew Johnston is Dewy in Civic Theatre’s production of “School of Rock.”

Sharing the stage with School of Rock is Civic Theatre’s must-see production of Little Women, based on the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott. Journey with four larger-than-life girls, Meg, Jo, Amy, and Beth, through the trials of youth and womanhood, as they fight societal dangers with the undying bonds of sisterhood. It’s a story of family values that transcends generations – young and old will adore this show!

Ticket Prices for the show are $10 – $16. For information on Grand Rapids Civic Theatre or to purchase tickets, call 616-222-6650 or visit grct.org.

By Dan Pletcher

You can say that theater is in Abby Pletcher’s blood. Her grandmothers and mother have been involved in the arts including theater arts and now Pletcher will follow in their footsteps making her directorial and producing debut this month with the production of “Little Women: The Broadway Musical.”

The show scheduled for July 28 and 29 at the Wealthy Theatre is not Pletcher’s first foray into directing. The home-school graduate has directed many shows over the last several years, if directing your cousins counts. She usually has directed one show each summer since the age of 10. Her first big show involved all the kids in her neighborhood, where she directed a place called “Hotel for Kids,” which was a re-write of the kids movie “Hotel for Dogs.”

All of the other shows Pletcher has directed have been with her willing, although sometimes, coersed cousins. These shows would be held at the family’s favorite annual reunion hotspot in Big Rapids.

Although Pletcher has directed about a dozen shows with youth, this will be her first time directing for a show that is in conjuction with Homeschool Performing Arts – or just HPA (as referenced by those who know the group closely). HPA is a theater group that produces shows every year in the communities of Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Kalamazoo. The show’s cast, crew, make-up, lighting, sound, music, costumes, sets, and rehearsals are all done by home schooled students with parent involvement. Parents and other family members assist in making the costumes, sets, and running rehearsals, but the kids learn and perform the shows. The group was stared by Brad Garnaat back in 1997. Pletcher has been involved with HPA as a student since 2008 where she has had the opportunity to observe, learn, and grow as a thespian.

Show times for the “Little Women: The Broadway Musical” are 7 p.m. both days, July 28 and 29, at Wealthy Street Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE. Tickets are $8. For tickets, click here. For more information about the production, visit www.hpami.org.