Little Women' playwright finds story's joy and passion in a tempestuous time

"Gunderson, recently named the most produced playwright for the third time by American Theatre Magazine, didn't have to search very far to find blatant connections between the Civil War era that Alcott depicted in her 1868 novel and societal struggles in today's United States. The story is not lace and doilies and sitting comfortably by the fire, Gunderson said. They're at war, their father might not come home and there's a plague next door that's killing the community."

"These are really high stakes, and these girls are growing up in this moment of American division and crisis, the real stress-testing of humanity all around them. Gunderson's Little Women is making its second stop in a series of rolling world premieres nationwide. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley is producing the play, directed by artistic director Giovanna Sardelli and featuring a who's who of Bay Area acting talents."

"The four go through significant life changes as they navigate their way through the Civil War in 1860s Massachusetts. On the surface, Gunderson might seem to be a playwright who loves digging into the specific nuances of classics; her Jane Austen-inspired Christmas at Pemberley trilogy is one example. But while proper young ladies wearing proper dresses might be the dominant image that comes to mind for this genre, there's much more immediate motivation that bubbles to the surface."

An adaptation of Little Women emphasizes parallels between the Civil War era and contemporary societal struggles, portraying wartime anxieties such as absent fathers, a nearby plague, and national division. The narrative centers on the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—and their coming-of-age amid high stakes and community crisis. The adaptation highlights radical love, joy, and communal commitment, showing characters who refuse to abandon or change one another. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley is staging the play as part of a rolling series of world premieres, directed by Giovanna Sardelli and featuring prominent Bay Area actors, with performances Sept. 24–Oct. 12 in Mountain View.

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