LITTLE WOMEN...NOW (90-minute cut available!)

by Donna Hoke

Kilroys List 2020

Meet Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy--again! Little Women...Now reimagines the beloved March sisters in today's world, where they navigate love, life, and loss with twenty-first century sensibilities--and the heart, humor, and distinct personalities that have charmed fans for generations. Both fresh and familiar, this modern adaptation will delight devotees of Louisa May Alcott's classic while giving...

Kilroys List 2020

Meet Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy--again! Little Women...Now reimagines the beloved March sisters in today's world, where they navigate love, life, and loss with twenty-first century sensibilities--and the heart, humor, and distinct personalities that have charmed fans for generations. Both fresh and familiar, this modern adaptation will delight devotees of Louisa May Alcott's classic while giving newcomers an exciting introduction to this timeless story--all without period costumes!

A 90-minute cutting of this play is also available.

  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

LITTLE WOMEN...NOW (90-minute cut available!)

Recommended by

  • Grace Everett: LITTLE WOMEN...NOW (90-minute cut available!)

    As a lover of Little Women, I had exceptionally high hopes for this play. Hoke managed to blow my expectations out of the water with a writing style that lends itself perfectly to such a nostalgic story. Extra kudos for such a perfect ending, wrapping everything up so nicely even when the audience is wiping tears away. As a playwright, I hope to write something that makes the audience feel the way I feel after reading this… and as an actress, I want to play every part in the show!! Wonderful script, highly recommend!!

    As a lover of Little Women, I had exceptionally high hopes for this play. Hoke managed to blow my expectations out of the water with a writing style that lends itself perfectly to such a nostalgic story. Extra kudos for such a perfect ending, wrapping everything up so nicely even when the audience is wiping tears away. As a playwright, I hope to write something that makes the audience feel the way I feel after reading this… and as an actress, I want to play every part in the show!! Wonderful script, highly recommend!!

  • Arthur M Jolly: LITTLE WOMEN...NOW (90-minute cut available!)

    With wit, heart, humor and a great depth of understanding for Alcott's characters, Donna Hoke has created an original, exciting and emotionally powerful contemporary imagining of Little Women. There are some wonderfully theatrical moments, and some heart wrenching emotional ones... a fantastic play that will resonate with audiences.

    With wit, heart, humor and a great depth of understanding for Alcott's characters, Donna Hoke has created an original, exciting and emotionally powerful contemporary imagining of Little Women. There are some wonderfully theatrical moments, and some heart wrenching emotional ones... a fantastic play that will resonate with audiences.

  • Aly Kantor: LITTLE WOMEN...NOW (90-minute cut available!)

    If you love Little Women, you will love pouring over this strong, contemporary adaptation. The essence of the characters is so spot on, even as they're brought into the 21st century! Something as simple as articulating the more oblique facets of their identities (queerness! mental illness!) does so much to help these characters feel three-dimensional and relatable. This adaptation features so many of the moments you love and expect, but peppers in cellphones and booze and the climate crisis in all of these small, surprising ways! Plus, it's full of fabulous roles for women and gorgeous moments...

    If you love Little Women, you will love pouring over this strong, contemporary adaptation. The essence of the characters is so spot on, even as they're brought into the 21st century! Something as simple as articulating the more oblique facets of their identities (queerness! mental illness!) does so much to help these characters feel three-dimensional and relatable. This adaptation features so many of the moments you love and expect, but peppers in cellphones and booze and the climate crisis in all of these small, surprising ways! Plus, it's full of fabulous roles for women and gorgeous moments of theatricality!

View all 13 recommendations

Character Information

Because this is an update from source material of a certain era, it particularly lends itself to diverse casting, so throw a wide net.
  • Mom
    Mother of four trying to manage a household on her own
    Character Age
    40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Meg
    The oldest of four daughters, remembers better times, not particularly ambitious, just wants to be taken care of
    Character Age
    17-adult
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Jo
    Second oldest of four, smart, feminist, independent, introverted
    Character Age
    15-adult
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Beth
    Quiet, anxious, doesn’t interact well with others, connects to Jo
    Character Age
    14-adult
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Amy
    Naive, typical youngest who expects things to revolve around her, and, often, they do
    Character Age
    12-adult
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Laurie
    The boy next door
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • John Brooke
    An older friend of a friend, assured, a little old-fashioned for the 2020s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Zoetic Stage, Year 2020
  • Type Reading, Organization Road Less Traveled Productions, Year 2018

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Road Less Traveled Productions, Year 2022

Awards