Friday, Oct. 23, 2009

Sierra Rep falls in love with the March family and its 'Little Women'

WHAT: "Little Women"
WHEN: Oct. 30-Dec. 13
WHERE: Sierra Repertory Theatre, 13891 Mono Way, Sonora
TICKETS: $18-$28
CALL: 532-3120
ONLINE: www.sierrarep.org

Emily Kay Shrader never read the 1868 novel "Little Women" until she got a part in the stage play, but she immediately fell in love with the story.

"It makes me want to live in that time period when you were so close to your family," said the Modesto 17-year-old, who plays Beth in Sierra Repertory Theatre's musical production opening in Sonora next week.

The show centers on four sisters and their mother who must make their way in life alone while their father is away in the Civil War. The women experience happiness and tragedy and stick together through all challenges.

Written by Allan Knee (book), Mindi Dickstein (lyrics) and Jason Howland (music), the musical debuted on Broadway in 2005.

The story previously was featured on the big screen in 1933 with Katharine Hepburn, in 1949 with June Allyson and Elizabeth Taylor and in 1994 with Winona Ryder and Susan Sarandon.

Shrader, a senior at Enochs High School, said she watched a couple of the movies with the cast and studied up on the era in preparation for her role.

"It's about following your dreams and finding the confidence to go for it," she said.

Shrader was thrilled to get a part in the Sierra Rep production because she has been going to the company's shows since she was 10. She couldn't believe that she would finally get to share the stage with company regulars like Julie Ludlum (who plays the mother) and Ty Smith (Mr. Laurence).

"Sierra Rep is amazing," she said. "It's crazy to see what they can do on such a small stage."

Director Scott Viets invited her to audition for "Little Women" after he saw her play Kim MacAfee in the Youth Entertainment Stage Company production of "Bye Bye Birdie" at the Gallo Center for the Arts last summer.

Shrader previously played Dorothy in YES Company's "The Wizard of Oz" in the summer of '08 and Ado Annie in Modesto Junior College's "Oklahoma!" in March.

Beth is her most serious role to date. The third of the March sisters, Beth faces the biggest struggles. She's also the rock of the family.

"She's the reserved character," Shrader said. "She tries to resolve the conflicts the family has."

Playing the other sisters in the family are Deirdre Haren as the writer Jo, Kate Robberecht as eldest sister Meg and Brianne Sanborn as precocious youngest sister Amy. Caitlin Randall plays Aunt March and Jonathan Scott Roth plays Jo's love interest Laurie.

The show features wonderful music, gorgeous 19th-century costumes and a moving story, Shrader said.

"It's a very heartwarming show," she said. "You'll laugh, you'll probably cry — even the men (in the audience)."