Meet the Cast of LITTLE WOMEN at Lake Country Playhouse

Hartland's Lake Country Playhouse has announced a star studded cast for its production of Little Women the Musical, with music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, and book by Allan Knee. Little Women the Musical is directed by past LCP Board Member Nate C. Adams, with music direction by Jim Van Deusen.

Performance dates are October 5-22, 2017. Opening Night is scheduled for Friday, October 6, 2017. Tickets range $18-25 and are available online at www.lakecountryplayhousewi.org. For a full performance calendar, visit www.lakecountryplayhousewi.org/littlewomen.

Little Women the Musical features Kat Geertsen as "Jo March," Hannah Esch as "Meg March," Courtney Denzer as "Beth March," Ella Rose Kleefisch as "Young Amy March," Calynn Klohn as "Amy March," Paula Garcia as "Marmee," Bryan Noll as "Laurie," Billy Krager as "John Brooke," Nathan Marinan as "Professor Bhaer," Rob Carroll as "Mr. Laurence," Anne Elise Richie as "Aunt March," Jana Rinelli as "Mrs. Kirk," and Ashley Patin as "Clarissa".

Director Nate C. Adams says, "This cast is comprised of some of the strongest musical actors I have ever worked with. Every one of them could be a starring role in their own musical, and they've come together as an ensemble to breathe life into this beloved story on the Playhouse stage. In addition to the fantastic cast of actors on stage, the production team LCP has assembled is second to none. I'm fortunate to be able to embark on this journey of familial bonds with such an incredible group."

The production team includes Sharon Jahneke, production manager; Chris Adams, stage manager; Heather Patterson, costume design; Nancy Hurd, hair and wig design; Kathryn Mooers, properties design; James Sevens, lighting design; Breanne Brennan, special effects and sound design; Sarah Tajnai, make up design; Andrea Klohn, lobby design; Larson Seaver, production assistant; Brenda Nemec, production assistant; and Tammy Tissicino, rehearsal pianist.

The band for Little Women the Musical includes Anne Van Deusen, principal piano; Jacob Sudbrink, violin; Glen Quarrie, woodwinds; Dale Smith, trumpet; and Jim Van Deusen, percussion and trombone.

ABOUT THE SHOW: Based on Louisa May Alcott's life, follow the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested - her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she has to do better and write more from herself. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America. Little Women celebrates the strength and bond of family, guaranteeing a night filled with laughter, tears and a lifting of the spirit.

SPECIAL EVENTS:
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Sunday, October 8 following the 2pm matinee
Join director Nate C. Adams, and members of the cast and creative team behind Little Women the Musical for an in-depth conversation surrounding the world of the play, what it's like to work on a piece with such historical significance. Free and open to the public, following the 2pm matinee.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR, Nate C. Adams
Nate C. Adams is thrilled to return to Lake Country Playhouse. Previous LCP directing credits include Shrek the Musical, Bonnie & Clyde (Wisconsin Premiere), and Legally Blonde the Musical. Past LCP performance credits include Assassins (Guiseppe Zangara), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Chip Tolentino), and various concerts. Nate is a graduate of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Upcoming projects: Into the Woods (director) at Sunset Playhouse in spring 2018. Defy gravity.

ABOUT THE MUSIC DIRECTOR, Jim Van Deusen
Jim returns to Lake Country Playhouse to conduct this wonderful orchestra but also serve as the Music Director. Jim has been a middle and high school band director and choral director for 30 years and his groups have earned national and international acclaim at various band and jazz festivals all over the world. His Jazz Ensembles have earned the reputation of being some of the finest high school groups in the nation. They have performed at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and also at Royal Albert Hall in London, England. Jim received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education and Masters Degree in Music Performance from UW-Milwaukee. Jim has performed in over of 200 musical theater orchestras as a trombonist, percussionist or conductor over the past 40 years. Some of his musical credits include Les Miserables, West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Secret Garden, All Shook Up, AIDA, Legally Blonde, Parade, Shrek and 9 to 5. He has led the pit orchestra here at LCP several times and is thrilled to return for this production of Little Women. This fall he will again conduct the pit orchestra at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School for their production of The Little Mermaid.

ABOUT LAKE COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE
In its 59th Season, Lake Country Playhouse is committed to providing exceptional theatre to the Lake Country area, as well as a wide range of educational opportunities to hundreds of students each year. With focused artistic vision and fiscal stewardship, we nurture young artists, develop new works, and redefine the classics in our intimate signature style.

Located in the heart of downtown Hartland, Lake Country Playhouse is a cleverly converted Masonic Lodge that houses an 80-seat black box theatre, scenic, paint, and costume shops, and The Playhouse Performing Arts Academy. Together, this facility serves as a vibrant artistic hub in Lake Country which produces compelling dramas, powerful classics, full scale musicals, an annual production of A Christmas Carol, and exceptional youth programming in an intimate, signature style. Under the leadership of the Board of Directors, Lake Country Playhouse aims to entertain, educate, and engage audiences as the recognized home for theatre in Hartland.