Tickets go on sale April 1 for Bluffton University's May Day weekend production of "Little Women," a musical adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott novel.

Dr. Melissa Friesen, associate professor and chair of theatre and communication at Bluffton, will direct the show, being staged May 6-8 as part of the university's annual May Day celebration. Curtain time is 8 p.m. in Founders Hall. Tickets, $12 for reserved seats and $5 for bleacher seats, are available by contacting the box office at 419-358-3239 or [email protected].

"Little Women" follows the March family of Concord, Mass., during the 1860s. Under the guidance of their beloved Marmee, sisters Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy grow into young women through times of sacrifice and self-discovery, finding love, facing heartbreak and loss, serving others and following their hearts. As Jo develops as a writer and ventures beyond Concord to New York City, she remembers the delights and challenges of her adolescence.

Cast members include Kim Rupert of Ottawa, as Jo; Joni Martin of Elida, as Meg; Kristin Beckman of Ottawa, as Beth; Sarah Diller of Bluffton, as Amy; Brian Timpe of Wauseon, as John Brooke; Jonathan Luginbill of Bluffton, as Laurie; Libby Julien of North Baltimore, as Marmee; Brea Quellhorst of Wapakoneta, as Aunt March; Aaron Yost of Pinetop, Ariz., as Father; Matt Weaver of Millersburg, as Professor Bhaer; Jared Hudson of Cincinnati, as Mr. Laurence; and Thea Bilowich of Bucyrus, as Mrs. Kirke.

Comprising the chorus are Andrew Chamberlain of Lima, Stephanie Finn of Toledo, Lucas Fullenkamp of Wapakoneta, Georgia Metz of Brighton, Colo.; Leah Waltermyer of Washington, Pa.; and Erin Weaver of Bluffton.

David Sawatzky, assistant professor of music at Bluffton, is music director and conductor for the production. Mervin Schrock is technical director, and the costume designer is Paula Unrau. The book for the musical adaptation of "Little Women" is by Sean Hartley, with music by Kim Oler and lyrics by Alison Hubbard.