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Home > Archive > Feb 14, 2008

Dixie High to Present New Musical of Timeless Story
By Elizabeth Brown
A classic and much-loved American story will appear in musical form Feb. 21-25 at Dixie High School. “Little Women,” a new Broadway musical based on the famous novel by Louisa May Alcott, will be performed by a cast of 18 students directed by Russell Saxton, veteran drama teacher at Dixie.
According to Saxton, the musical version of “Little Women” was written for Broadway in 2005, and is an “astonishing” show filled with “glorious music, spirited dancing and outstanding production design elements … guaranteeing a night filled with laughter, tears and uplifting themes appropriate for the whole family.”
The show is set in Massachusetts during the time of the Civil War, when many men were gone to battle, and women fended for themselves at home. The story centers around the March family of four daughters – Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy – and their adventures and dreams.
“The story … is timeless and deals with issues as relevant today as when they were written 180 years ago,” Saxton said. “Though times are tough and money is tight, the March family finds strength in numbers and joy in simple pleasures.”
Some of the story’s themes that still resonate in our world today are the ramifications of war, the independence of women, and the love of family and friends.
According to Starlyn Alldredge, publicity director for the school’s Adult Theater Council, audiences who have read and loved the book are in for a treat. The musical follows the plot of the book very closely and includes such familiar characters as Laurie, Aunt March and Professor Bhaer.
Alldredge said that a group of Dixie High School students traveled to see Brigham Young University’s performance of “Little Women” in December and loved it.
 “The show is amazing,” said Alldredge. “The music is catchy right from the start, and people automatically love it. It is beautiful music. The teenagers loved the show right away. Even some of the boys who hadn’t ever read the book said, wow this is a great story.”
Alldredge pointed out that Saxton, an award-winning educator with many years’ experience in theater, chooses only the best musicals for performance at Dixie.
“He has impeccable taste,” Alldredge said. “He picks out only what he thinks is fabulous. Most people haven’t seen this musical before, and they should know he picks out only the best.”
Alldredge also spoke highly of the talents of the cast members, including Chelsea Wilson (Jo), Lauren Doxey (Meg), Samantha Myers (Beth), and Amy Theobald (Amy).
Vocal music is directed by Sheryl Snow, and dance choreography by Laurel Peterson, both of whom are faculty members at Dixie High.

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