One of Lehighton Area High School’s more intimate musical productions, “Little Women,” will run this weekend in the school’s auditorium. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

“‘Little Women’ was a good fit for our musical this year because it is a more intimate show for our smaller cast size of 21 members,” said drama club adviser Jessica Schafer.

“There has also been a lot of renewed buzz lately about this classic novel since the book’s 150th anniversary was last year.”

Based on author Louisa May Alcott’s life, “Little Women” follows the adventures of sisters, Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March.

Jo, an aspiring writer, weaves the story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America. The powerful score soars with the sounds of personal discovery, heartache and hope — the sounds of a young America finding its voice.

“The story’s themes of female empowerment are relevant today with the main character, Jo, aspiring to become a published author, despite many obstacles she is faced with,” Schafer said.

“The story’s timeless themes of family and togetherness will resonate with a variety of audience members.”

Schafer said the story has more meat than any production the school has done in the past few years, tackling some more serious themes.

“I think the students are enjoying being challenged with these varying emotions they get to play, from lighthearted fun to the devastation of loss,” she added. “A number of students have done research on the costumes and style of the era and some have even decided to read the book for the first time.”

Cast members include Hannah Smith (Jo March), Ayana Bodisch (Beth March), Abigail Buffington (Amy March), Ashley Beers (Meg March), Madison DeLuca (Marmee March), Dylan Coffin (Theodore Laurence), Calvin Maholick (Professor Bhaer), John DeMatte (John Brooke), Benjamin Zachariasm (Mr. Laurence), Kylie Kresge (Aunt March), and Brielle Gosselin (Mrs. Kirk), Ensemble members include Ethan Malkowicz, Payge Louchart, Haley Fritz, Logan Kester, Callie Hayman, Marlena Ahner, Alison Steigerwalt, Megan Aaron, Anya Shorten and Nicholas Hrusovsky. In the pit, under the direction of Bryan Buffington, will be Madeline Tonkin, Lydia Gowin, Abigail Hoppes, Aidan Malloy, Kira Kuehner, Joshua Pickerin, Victor McCandless, Roger Pomposello, Luke Wilusz, Kenneth Zacharias, Baylee Strausberger, Isaac Acuna, Connor Zelrick and Mykayla Engle.

“It’s exciting to watch the students discover this classic story for the first time and fall in love with it the same way past generations have been doing for decades,” Schafer said.

Tickets are now available to purchase online or at the door. Visit: http://lahspa.booktix.com.