The story of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” with song and dance will take the stage of Culbertson Auditorium March 2-4 at 8 p.m. Directed by Mark Clark, assistant professor of music, the musical is also a showcase for senior Abigail Pickering, who plays the lead role of Jo March.

“‘Little Women’ is a relatively new musical, having been written in the 21st century. This is the first time it has been performed at Sterling College, and Abbey is the perfect fit for this strong, female lead. She and her fellow cast members have been working hard and are ready to open with a wonderful night of musical drama,” said Clark.

“Little Women” the musical was written by Allan Knee and based off of Louisa May Alcott’s 1869 semi-autobiographical novel. Embellished with music by Jason Howland and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, the story of the four March sisters –  Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth –  live with their mother, Marmee, in Concord, Massachusetts, while their father is away serving as a Union Army chaplain during the Civil War. Jo, who is described as brassy and tomboy-like, is a writer who is trying to sell her work. The musical follows the relationships of Jo and her sisters through trials and romantic endeavors.

Tickets are available on show nights beginning at 7 p.m. at the box office window in Culbertson Auditorium. They are $5 for students, children and seniors, and $10 for adults. The doors will open at 7:30 p.m., and the musical will start at 8 p.m.

Cast members include: Abigail Pickering of Clearwater, Kansas, as Jo March; Jordan Himes of Eureka, Kansas, as Meg March; Alyssa Hershey of Wichita, Kansas, as Beth March; Claire Zerull of North Richland Hills, Texas, as Amy March; Joannah Maxwell of Corona, California, as Marmee March; Kalie King of Corona, California, as Aunt March; Keith Erichsen of Garden City, Kansas, as Professor Bhaer; Micah Watney of Sterling, Kansas, as Laurie Laurence; Isaac Peña of Dodge City, Kansas, as John Brooke; and Bobby Foster of Sterling as Mr. Laurence.

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kansas, with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.