Cast: 7m., 12w. (doubles to 6m., 10w., and non-speaking extras if desired.) Louisa May Alcott published Little Women: Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, the first volume of her now-classic book, in 1868. That story's instant success prompted the second volume, Little Women: Good Wives. This spritely adaptation, commissioned by DreamWrights Youth and Family Theatre of York, Pa., is based on that first volume, along with "The Battle of Beaumanoir," a later Alcott story containing obvious echoes of Jo's penchant for swashbuckling tales and her touching friendship with their neighbor, Laurie. Special attention is given to the imaginative play of the young characters: storytelling, playacting, letter writing, newspaper publishing and other creative endeavors still available to young people today. "…a charming and intelligent adaptation… breathes new life into Louisa May Alcott's beloved story…remarkably faithful to the text." (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Area staging. Approximate running time: 1 hour, 50 minutes.