Musical Theatre West (MTW) is bringing a beloved holiday classic to the stage just in time for the merry-making season! Little Women, the heartwarming musical adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s timeless novel, featuring a book by Allan Knee, music by Jason Howland and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein. Directed and choreographed by Cate Caplin, with music direction by conductor Diane King Vann, performances continue through November 22 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on the campus of Cal State Long Beach, closing out MTW’s 2026 season.
Little Women follows sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy as they navigate family, friendship, first loves and the pursuit of their dreams. With a soaring musical score, touching moments and plenty of humor, the production celebrates the enduring bonds of sisterhood and the courage to follow one’s own path.
Starring Disney voice actress and Suffs national tour alum Jenna Lea Rosen as the fiercely independent Jo March, an ambitious, imaginative and fiercely independent aspiring writer determined to forge a life on her own terms, are Katie Roche as Meg, Jordan Cruz as Amy, Haven Watts as Beth and Tami Tappan Damiano as Marmee, alongside a talented ensemble bringing the beloved characters to life.
“There’s something especially comforting about gathering together for a story like Little Women as the holiday season approaches,” said Paul Garman, Executive Director and Producer of Musical Theatre West. “It’s a cozy, heartfelt theatrical experience filled with warmth, laughter and beautiful music, making it the perfect outing for families and loved ones to enjoy together. We couldn’t imagine a more fitting way to close our season.”
Musical Theatre West’s production ofLittle Women runs November 6–22, 2026 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 E. Atherton Street in Long Beach. The production is rated G and has a runtime of approximately two hours and 40 minutes, including intermission. Tickets are available for purchase by phone at 562-856-1999 or online at musical.org. Student rush tickets for $15 are available at the Box Office one hour prior to showtime, with a valid student ID.
More information, a full line-up of performances, tickets, and additional details can be found at musical.org.
A young magician’s quest to work with his idol David Bowie leads to a wild ride of self-discovery – and a big surprise – in this true story that’s part memoir and part love letter to the 70s and 80s glam rock era in Los Angeles. Starring actor and professional magician Albie Selznick, and directed by Laura Maccabee, Letter from David runs through December 20 at the Santa Monica Playhouse.
With a little ingenuity, a lot of moxie, and a ton of help from his infamous performance troupe The Mums, Selznick shares how he mimed, juggled, and tightrope walked his way through the theatre, club and rock scenes to reach his hero. This solo theatrical show, a 2026 Fringe Festival Planners Pick Award Nominee, is performed by Selznick and features narrative appearances by the likes of Andy Warhol and other highly celebrated cultural icons from that era.
Asked what drove him to take on such an almost impossible task, given the tight security surrounding Bowie during that time, Selznick explained, “I always need to be working on something. I started doing magic shows at 12, got my first real job at 14 as a janitor at my mom’s nursery school, and I never slowed down. I was never good at taking a day off or lying on the beach or vegging out in front of the TV, without crawling out of my skin. And as a very sad kid, I knew early on that if I wanted to make a change, I had to do it myself – and I can be irritatingly persistent!”
And why the quest to work with David Bowie? “As a thirteen-year-old who didn’t really fit in, David Bowie was this rare, bright spot. And I thought HE would get me. I thought I was fated to work with him. And then all my problems would just go away. Delusional, sure, but it got me through adolescence. And it motivated me to reach out to him.” And what an interesting and creatively clever journey Selznick shares in Letter from David!
Produced by Albie Selznick, Laura Maccabee, Michelle Grant and David B. Marling, the creative team includes Sound and Video Editor and Technical Director David B. Marling, Q-lab Designer David Svengalis, Photographer and Videographer Jay Lee, and featured Artwork by Cathy Karol-Crowther.
Letter from David performances run through December 20 on Sundays at 7 p.m. at Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th Street, Santa Monica 90401. Parking is available in municipal parking structure #1, located right across the street from the theatre, and meters on city streets.
General admission tickets are $25, with discounts for students, teachers, seniors, military, and groups of 10 or more are available at https://www.santamonicaplayhouse.com/, via email to th*****@******************se.com, or by calling the box office at (310) 394-9779 ext. 1.