Former student returns to direct ‘Little Women’

Canyon Lake resident Tara Abell returns to Temescal Canyon High School to direct Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. Tara played Beth in the production when she was a senior at TCHS.

The TCHS Spotlight Players invite the community to their remaining two shows this weekend, Dec. 14 and 15, at 7 p.m. at the TCHS Jeanie Corral Performing Arts Centre, 28755 El Torro Rd., Lake Elsinore. Tickets prices are $12 for adults and $8 for students. For tickets, call 951-253-7250.

There are several Canyon Lake residents who are part of the cast, including Cheyenne Stetson, James Myers, Sky Morrison, Jacob Teperson and Meadow McClean. Other cast members include Shela Patterson, Skylar Dorvall, Rylee Lofquist, Lauryn Dawes, Liz MacMurray, Sawyer Sliker, Michelle Pellegrin, Dominic Archibeque, Leanna Bagby, Jakob Zurh and Beverly Lafferty.

The most popularly produced adaptation of Little Women uses one stationary set, which was the adaptation TCHS performed in 2000 when Tara appeared in the production.

After reading several script options, Tara selected an adaptation which uses several minimal settings, in order to keep the action and dialogue moving.

Because the first volume of Little Women begins and ends with Christmas, the novel is often considered a Christmas story. The TCHS Spotlight Players are hoping to emphasize the Christmas connection through the detail in the Christmas sets, foyer display, music and props.

The Christmas of Little Women is a unique glimpse into the American Christmas scene through the eyes of Louisa May Alcott, who sets the story in the early 1860s during the Civil War. In 1843, Charles Dickens had already done his part to establish the Victorian Christmas. His writing inspired Alcott.

Little Women has had well over one hundred editions and has been translated into more than 50 languages. It has had sequels, spin-offs, Hallmark cards and Madame Alexander dolls, all of which is a testament to its enduring themes. Now part of the public domain, it is estimated that 10 million copies have been sold, not including abridged editions.