Centerstage has 'Little Women'

By PAT JENKINS

Editor

Cara Rudd, the youngest cast member of Centerstage Theatre’s new production of “Little Women,” might also be the least beholden to the original telling of the Civil War-era story.

Rudd, 16, saw the movie version of Louisa May Alcott’s classic book, but has never read the book. Still, she has studied the etiquette of young women of that time period. And, through director Hal Ryder, she feels in tune with the saga of four sisters who learn to be thankful while enduring family hardships caused by the war.

“It’s been fun to work with Hal. He brings out so much of the storyline,” said.

The show that opens Nov. 1 is Ryder’s second turn at directing “Little Women” at Centerstage with a script adapted by Sharon Munsey. The first one was 20 years ago.

The cast this time features Rudd, who lives in Federal Way, Rick Deskin, Dom Zook, Sarah Malkin, Patty Dey, Laurie Sifford, Jody McCoy and Carolyn Crabtree.

Rudd’s first stage experience was at age 7 in a Seattle community theater production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” Since then, she has been in Fifth Avenue productions and, at 11, trained in California with Disney performers as her prize for winning a talent competition.

Rudd has had a lifelong flair for performing (she could sing on-key at 3) and attends Tacoma School of the Arts, but she isn’t planning a career in entertainment. She said she’s more interested in public relations or teaching mentally challenged students. Live theater, she said, “is a great side job” but too hard on family life and too hard to make a living.

Deskin, Zook and Malkin are veterans of Puget Sound-area theater. Dey (“Love Letters,” “Steel Magnolias”), Sifford (“Bus Stop,” “To Kill a Mockingbird”), McCoy (“Under Milkwood,” “Little Women”), and Crabtree (“Death of a Salesman”).

PLAYBILL

What and when: Centerstage Theatre’s “Little Women” is scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays Nov. 1 through Nov. 24, plus a Wednesday performance at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20. Previews are set for Oct. 30-31.

Where: Knutzen Family Theater in Federal Way. Maps and directions on-line at www.centerstagetheatre.com

Tickets: $20 for general admission, $16 for seniors and students, $12 for previews. Reservations and additional information: 661-1444.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.