"Little Women is a depiction of a living, breathing American family, the members of which are still as real as if they lived next door," said Lyceum Artistic Director Quin Gresham.

Alcott's story surrounds the hopes and dreams, lives and loves, of four sisters growing up during the Civil War.

As an encore to his wildly successful production of "West Side Story" earlier this season, Gresham once again takes the helm of a timeless literary classic, according to a news release from the theater.

As director he reminds us that while the family is struggling during war time, their bond and love for one another ensures that they never seem deprived.

"Our talented cast embodies these well known characters in familiar, yet fascinatingly complicated way," Gresham said.

Leading this stellar cast as Jo March is Mallory Hawks, whose Lyceum credits include "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," "Harvey," and "Oscar and Felix: A New Look at the Odd Couple."

"Jo March is one of the most complete, self-possessed and best-loved characters in children's literature," Gresham said in the director's notes for the show. "What makes Jo so fascinating ... is that she is complicated and flawed, uncommon in many of the young charcters that populate children's books."

Also returning to the Lyceum stage are Jane Brockman as Marmee, April Woodall as Aunt March, Jeffrey C. Wolf as Professor Bhaer, Vanessa Claire Smith as Beth March, Amy Schwarz as Meg March, Jerry Vogel as Mr. Laurence and Jarrod Zimmerman as John Brooke.

Making their Lyceum debuts are Daniel Frank Kelley as Laurie and Courtney Elise Brown as Amy March.

After a Tony-nominated Broadway run in 2005, "Little Women The Broadway Musical" garnered even more success on its first national tour as mothers and daughters, friends and families all over the country renewed their friendship with the March sisters.

For more information, call 660-837-3311 or visit www.lyceumtheatre.org.

"Little Women" is showing at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23; 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24; 2 and 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28; 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31.

The talk-back session for "Little Women" -- an opportunity for audience members to ask questions of the cast, crew and director -- will be after the Wednesday, Aug. 27, show.