By Peri Kinder | [email protected]

The classic coming-of-age novel “Little Women” has been adapted to the stage where audience members can share the joyful message of dreams, love and family with the four March sisters Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, in a live musical performance.

With its inspiring lyrics and elegant music, “Little Women, the Broadway Musical” is sure to introduce new fans to its heartwarming message.

“‘Little Women’ is about 10 really good human beings and it’s about strong women who solve problems with so much love,” said Jim Christian, “Little Women” director. “The music is beautiful and there are moments that are so touching and poignant.”

While many Broadway shows are based on spectacle and show-stopping musical numbers, “Little Women” is a more subtle take on the genre where the focus is on the characters. “The spectacle is in the people and the music,” Christian said.

Whether it’s costuming, scenes, sounds or props, the design teams bring something exciting to the show. The fluid staging and scene transitions are creative and non-intrusive. Actors in the production come from all over the area, from Ogden to Orem, and each contribute to the musical with their own unique talents.

“[Audiences] are going to see first-class performers,” Christian said. “It's a great show to see with people you care about. It’s just life-affirming and good.”

​Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott, “Little Women” takes place in Massachusetts during the Civil War. The March sisters and their mother experience financial difficulty while Mr. March is serving as a chaplain in the Union Army. Through acts of kindness, moments of bravery, and scenes of great sadness, the audience connects to the innate goodness of the characters.

The show will be performed at the West Valley Performing Arts Center (3333 Decker Lake Dr.) with an opening night on April 21 and the final performance on May 14. Tickets are available at WVCarts.org.

“This is a show without a villain,” Christian said. “It’s about the basic goodness in people.”