VLT and live performances prepare to take the stage again this summer

Exterior of the Very Little Theatre in Eugene, as seen June 21, 2022.
Jessica Ruth Baker

The pandemic dropped the curtain on a popular musical planned for Eugene audiences more than two years ago. Now, the Very Little Theatre is bringing the show back, in a greatly-renovated space.

Jessica Ruth Baker is VLT’s interim executive director. She told KLCC that “Little Women the Musical” was canceled on its opening night in March 2020. Since then, in-person stage performances were halted for nearly two and a half years.

Diego Millan (left) and Sabrina Gross (right) rehearse a scene from the upcoming VLT production of "Little Women the Musical."
Russell Dyball

“It has been very hard for us that we haven’t been able to do in-person performances since the beginning of the pandemic, simply because that’s been our bread and butter for 93 years,” said Baker.

Baker added that VLT is excited to see audiences coming back in person, finally.

“We’ve been so thrilled by the engagement that we have seen from our community over the past few years. Every single one of those things reminds us that we have the community here with us.”

Baker said VLT innovated with virtual shows and performances in a parking lot. And the re-set allowed them to do a $1.7 million renovation to its 72-year-old theater.

When the curtain rises again on “Little Women” on August 5th, most renovations will be complete.

Copyright @2022, KLCC.

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Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.