While March is Women’s History Month, Rutgers-Camden’s production of Little Women: The Musical extends the celebration from April 9-18 at the Walter K. Gordon Theater. With their take, the creative team focuses on current relevance, gender stereotypes, and storytelling through the musical aspect. 

The musical closely follows the novel as the 4 March sisters navigate relationships and career prospects as the Civil War kindles in the background. Director Shamus McCarty points out how this story mirrors current social issues as global conflicts take place. When discussing the prevalence and message of the show, he states, “What does it mean to continue to pursue this thing that we have spent so much of our lives dedicated to and we believe in so fully while active atrocities are happening around us?” 

Soyeon Bin, the Music Director, adds to this sentiment, and says the core of this show is “about voice: finding it, losing it, and then reclaiming it.”

McCarty and Bin’s collaboration put their focus on the storytelling rather than just the visuals. As Bin describes, “It’s really not about this megamusical era that we’re in right now where everything has to be spectacle and just “ta-da,” it’s really more about communicating the story through the musical line.” 

Jo, one of the March sisters, is a writer who is often rejected and dismissed by publishers because of her gender. The show emphasizes gender roles and stereotypes and how they are enforced in society. 

Nallely Pineda Turcios, who plays Jo in this production, says they are “most drawn to the realism of being a woman in a field dominated by men…Even when you talk to women of higher society, they tell you that, if you do want to get into higher society, you have to be poised and elegant, and that’s just not [Jo].” All of the sisters within the show have their own separate paths, perspectives, and relationships with society and to the roles that are assigned to them. 

This show deviates slightly from Louisa May Alcott’s novel and the 1994 and 2019 film adaptations as the musical element is added. Bin explains the music is a “blend of the classical, romantic 20th century music, plus the contemporary musical theater.” When discussing the collaboration for the music, Turcios adds “[Bin] has given me the dynamics and the phrasing that make the music more emotional, which helps me and helps the story.”

This show has an overall serious, dramatic tone. However, McCarty also adds that “Life is full of moments of comedy, and we just have to be open to them… life can’t be lived as drama drama drama.” By keeping this in mind, he highlights that the cast and crew have added their own little motifs and moments that balance lightening tension with keeping the show grounded.

The musical first premiered on Broadway in 2005. To make it feel more original, McCarty focuses on truth and personalizing the story. For the chemistry and liberties taken by the cast and crew, he notes he put a heavy emphasis on communication in rehearsals for the show, and says, “making space and inviting proposals and curiosities from the ensemble of actors in space that lead to moments that are funny, but still true, … has definitely been sort of a guiding light.” 

To see this production, ticket information can be found online at https://www.purplepass.com/events/347143-little-women%3A-the-musical-apr-9th-2026 

Happy

0 0 %

Sad

0 0 %

Excited

0 0 %

Sleepy

0 0 %

Angry

0 0 %

Surprise

0 0 %

The Scarlet Scribes have had a strong focus on collaboration this semester. Their Song-Writing Workshop, which was held on March 26, and their Student Art Gallery in April are focused on celebrating student creativity. The Song-Writing Workshop, which was followed by an Open Mic and Karaoke Night was held in the Campus Center’s Executive Meeting Room and was in collaboration with Active Minds. 

Mia Morris, the president of the Scarlet Scribes, describes her love of collaboration with other Rutgers–Camden clubs. She credits an openness and great chemistry with other presidents of other clubs for strong collaboration: “That’s actually how I ended up collabing with The Gleaner, as well last semester, and the Criminal Justice Org this semester… We stay busy!” For their March event, Morris connected with Violett Springate, the president of Active Minds. 

Morris and Springate bring different creative strengths that balance the Song-Writing Workshop. Morris highlights how this collaboration will assist in the workshop: “She is a musician,” Morris said. “She’s going to help you with finding the right tune, melody, beat… then my job is to help you figure out the words.” Morris also notes how many of the individual members of the E-board for the Scarlet Scribes have had multiple works published, plus credits Springate as a seasoned performer. The event also had food catered, as well as other activities, such as a photo op and making friendship bracelets, while students are not working on their songs.

Additionally, Morris is very excited about the Student Art Gallery that the Scarlet Scribes will host in April. This event is not in collaboration with other specific clubs, but more in collaboration with any students who are interested in participating. This gallery is not just meant for written work, but any type of art that students would like to showcase: “I want your paintings, I want your sculptures, … I want those beautiful pieces of art you hide in your room.” The Student Art Gallery will also feature live performances by students who would like to do so. The Student Art Gallery is meant for all students with showcase-ready works of art. It will be the last event the Scarlet Scribes host for this semester. 

When it comes to the process of writing, Morris and the graphic designer of the Scarlet Scribes, Alana Weil, heavily emphasize how writing not only is a medium of self-expression and reflects self-experience, but can be strongly influenced by others. For Weil, listening to others’ work benefits her future projects: “…I see everybody’s writing as a form of inspiration for new ideas … I like the way this one person wrote, and I will take that as a source of inspiration…” for writing her next piece. 

Sharing artwork and personal pieces may make some people very nervous or shy. However, Weil states that the energy for the Scarlet Scribes events is more encouraging than nerve-racking. Weil further explains, “I would say the energy for each event is pretty high because, at the end, everybody is coming together, sharing their talents, and just having a good time.” She and Morris also note that the Scarlet Scribes offer a creative outlet and personal expression separate from academic pressure. 

The Song-Writing Workshop/Open Mic Night and Student Art Gallery are the last two events for this semester. More information will be released later regarding the Student Art Gallery in April.

Happy

0 0 %

Sad

0 0 %

Excited

0 0 %

Sleepy

0 0 %

Angry

0 0 %

Surprise

0 0 %

In celebration of black history month, a Rutgers–Camden original show showcases African American culture and highlights music from the 1920s and 1930s at the Walter K. Gordon Theater. 

Hand Me Down the Silver Trumpet was created by Rutgers–Camden Professor of Theater Kenneth Elliott, with musical supervision by Daniel Spearman. Spearman is a musician and musical educator from Camden. During the two-week run of the show Professor Elliott and Daniel Spearman shared insights into the initial creation of the show, as well as the past and current social impacts of the music of that era.

The musical follows the story of a Rutgers-Camden sophomore who finds old records and a Victrola record player while going through his grandmother’s belongings. As he begins to play these records, the audience is transported back to the Camden recording studio of the Victor Talking Machine Company in the 1930s. While the characters featured in the 1930s are fictional, they perform songs of that time that were originally recorded in Camden.

While the musical ran from February 6th through February 15th, it was originally created and performed in 2014. Professor Elliott references “The Sounds of Camden,” a 2014 exhibition at the Stedman Gallery, as the catalyst for the creation of the show. The exhibition showcased memorabilia from the Victor Talking Machine Company, originally founded in Camden in 1902. Professor Elliott also credits August Wilson and Wilson’s play Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom for inspiring the show.

Daniel Spearman supervised the band, organized the music, and trained the singers for the show. When discussing the importance of the story, Spearman refers to the connection between music from the past to the present. He describes the music of this era as providing a “foundation” for American music: “As you dig deeper, you see the bridges that are very apparent”. Spearman notes that hearing the music and seeing it can create a “straight line” connecting the past to the current era. 

When discussing the connection and evolution of dance, Professor Elliott also points out that Samuel Reyes, the choreographer, emphasizes the similarities of then to now through the choreography of the show. While Reyes has a strong background in hip-hop, Professor Elliott notes that, “…it’s quite different, what they did, but you can see the influence,” regarding the dance style. 

Because of the difference in the sound and style, Professor Elliott points out how the show is often mistaken or misinterpreted; some may view it as “whiny” or “sad.” However, he states, “No, it’s about the experience the people were going through. Some of it, yes, is light-hearted, but not all of it.” 

The show addresses this directly with a lot of the songs in the show using analogy as a social reflection. Spearman adds, “…all artistic expression, it’s an opportunity to essentially synthesize the lived experiences…” for people in that time period. Both offer a different view for further exploration into the music that many may not be familiar with.

While the final show was Sunday, February 15th, Professor Elliott notes his love for the arts and why he chooses this medium: “It’s not like a lecture. In fact, that’s the last thing I want to do is really lecture an audience. I want to show them through the music and through the movement and through the story.”

Happy

0 0 %

Sad

0 0 %

Excited

1 100 %

Sleepy

0 0 %

Angry

0 0 %

Surprise

0 0 %