Little Women

Little Women: Sara Spencer's faithful stage adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's beloved classic, follows the spirited March family. Mother Margaret "Marmee" works hard to raise her daughters well after her husband leaves to serve in the Civil War. Her eldest daughter, Meg, strives to be a mature and elegant lady, winning the affections of prim tutor Mr. John Brooke. Spunky Jo March, an aspiring author, struggles to find her place in an often unforgiving male world. Sweet Beth, following her mother's example, sacrifices to serve the poor and needy while young and spoiled Amy yearns to travel to Europe and study art. With the steadfast if unconventional friendship of their wealthy neighbor Theodore "Laurie" Laurence, this loving family uses creativity and passion to keep together through trying situations. An enduring piece of American family literature, this plot can be sued to meet a variety of straight play dramatizations.

Rental Costumes for Little Women

             What do you get when you request a FREE costume plot from The Costumer?  We will send you the listing and costume description for the entire show, organized by act and scene for your convenience. The Costumer is proud to provide quality Children’s and Adult rental costumes for productions of Little Women! We offer rental costumes for all of the lead characters, including Jo, Meg, Beth, Amy, Marmee, Laurie, and much more!

             Little Women is a classic coming of age tale that has been adapted for stage and film on countless occasions. Based on author Louisa May Alcott’s own life, Little Women’s semi-autobiographical tale follows the lives of the four March Sisters – the romantic Amy, meek Beth, traditional Meg, and the aspiring writer Josephine (“Jo”). The plot focuses on the sisters while they navigate the struggles of young adulthood in the 1860’s. The Costumer offers costume rentals for the Sara Spencer stage adaptation of Alcott’s timeless story; however, we can tailor your rental order to whatever adaptation of Little Women that your ensemble is performing. The Costumer also provides distinct costume rentals for the recent musical adaptation as well. Click here if you are interested in costume rentals for Little Women: The Musical.

             The story of Little Women begins at the March family’s home in Concord, Massachusetts. The four sisters and their mother, whom they affectionately refer to as Marmee, have just moved into a new house on genteel property. The March Sisters face their first Christmas without their father, who is serving as a Union chaplain in the American Civil War, far away from their New England home. Marmee asks her daughters to give up their yearly Christmas breakfast to donate to an impoverished family. Thus, the March family ventures into town with baskets filled with food to feed the needy. When they return from their charitable work, they are surprised to discover that a decadent Christmas dinner has been laid out for them at their home, provided by their elderly neighbor, Mr. Laurence. Mr. Laurence wanted to help make up for the March’s breakfast donation. The March and Laurence families become acquainted following these genuine acts of kindness.

             From the very beginning of your company’s adaptation of Little Women, The Costumer will help transport your audience into the March Sisters’ world with the help of our fabulous rental costumes! Our wide selection of period rental costumes for the March family and their friends will make your audience feel like they have stepped back in time to the mid 1800’s! The March Sisters will be clothed in an array of period afternoon dresses that match their personality and style, particularly with Jo’s casual ensemble evoking her tomboy tendencies. Marmee will be clothed in a similar yet more mature afternoon dress, complete with bonnet and period overcoat or cape. Mr. Laurence will appear before the audience clad in an elegant and dapper period suit, complete with a sharp period appropriate shirt and tie.

             The story picks up as Meg and Jo are forced to work to support their family. Meg takes up a job tutoring a nearby family of four children, while Jo begins assisting her aging Great-Aunt March, who is a wealthy widow living in a lavish mansion. While Amy is still attending school, Beth on the contrary is too timid to attend and is much more content doing housework in her own home.

             As the March Sisters’ story continues, more is revealed about each of the sisters and their personalities. Jo is a tomboy who has an affinity for writing, Meg is gorgeous and traditional, Beth is the peacemaker of the house and has a love for playing piano, and Amy is an artist who yearns for a life of elegance in high society. The sisters are not without flaws either, for Jo is a hothead, Meg is vain, Beth is incredibly shy, and Amy is overly materialistic. In spite of their flaws and quirks, the March Sisters are undoubtably human, making their story that much more endearing.

             While the Civil War continues to rage on, the sisters try to support their family and improve their own characters. The sisters soon become close friends with Mr. Laurence’s orphaned grandson, Laurie. The young man grows particularly close with Jo. Jo successfully finishes writing a novel that ultimately gets published, however she is frustrated by the edits the publisher requests, as well as the conflicting critical response. While Jo deals with the tumult of her burgeoning writing career, Meg accepts an invitation to spend two weeks away with her rich friends. During her retreat there are parties with boys held so the young women can improve their social skills. Laurie is invited to one such dance, and Meg’s friends incorrectly assume that she is in love with him. Meg is instead far more interested in Laurie’s handsome young tutor, John Brooke.

            More obstacles lie in wait for the March Sisters, as tragedy falls upon their family and relationships are strained. However, the sisters find strength in each other as they overcome the many challenges on their journeys from childhood to womanhood. No matter what adaptation of the March Sisters’ story that your ensemble chooses to tell, The Costumer will gladly be there to help tell your story.

            This is only a mere glimpse at what The Costumer has to offer for productions of Little Women! With the help of our rental costumes, let your artistic vision come to life onstage and transport your audience to the 19^th century and tell the March Sisters’ story. Request your free plot today!

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