WARSAW — “Little Women The Musical” is currently on stage at Warsaw’s Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts. The musical takes place in Concord, Mass., during the Civil War.

Jo, the second oldest of four Marsh sisters, (Elaine Cotter) is a writer who has a temper. She claims she will never marry. Aunt March (Kristen Yastenchak) promises to take her to Europe if she can become a proper lady so she says she will change. The trip is called off when Jo sells her hair so her Marmee (Kira Lace Hawkins) will have funds to tend to her sick husband. Cotter is perfect as the young woman who has many desires, including the fact she wants to become a best-selling writer. “Astonishing,” at the close of the first act, brought thundering applause from the audience. Both Hawkins and Yastenchak are extraordinarily talented and it shows.

In the opening scene, Jo is in New York City attempting to sell her writings. She keeps getting rejections from the publishing houses. She makes friends with Professor Baer (Scott Fuss) who tries to tell her what’s wrong with her writing. Fuss is outstanding as the German professor who is constantly bickering with Jo.

When she reads her work to him characters act out what she is reading. Ellen Jenders is Clarissa, the maiden; Danny Burgos is Braxton, who wants to take advantage of her; Alison Schiller is Roderigo, who comes to her rescue; and Keaton Eckhoff is the voice of Rodrigo.

Meg (Ellen Jenders) is shy and has problems when she and Jo are invited to a valentine’s dance. It takes a lot of talk along with the song “Delighted” to get her to attend. Meg meets John Brooks (Danny Burgos) and eventually marries him. They make the perfect couple and “More Than I Am,” delights the audience.

Beth (Alison Schiller) loves the piano. She is sweet and quiet. “Off To Massachusetts” is her favorite tune. She makes friends with grumpy neighbor Mr. Laurance (Mike Yocum) and together they delight the audience with the song. Beth comes down with scarlet fever and Jo returns home from New York, just after she made her first sale. Schilller is a first-class actor, as is Yocum.

Early on, Laurie Laurance (Keaton Eckhoff) falls in love with Jo and wants to marry her. Jo said, “No.”

Amy Curtis (Laura Plyler) is the youngest. She’s an artist, self centered and spoiled. When Marmee goes to be with the girls’ sick father, Amy is sent to Aunt March’s to stay. It is Amy who goes to Europe. While there she meets Laurie and the pair falls in love and plan to marry. Pyler and Eckhoff are exceptional as the young lovers.

Returning to New York, Jo has rewritten her novel. She again reads it to the professor. This time the characters are joined by the troll (Plyer), the Hag (Hawkins) and the knight (Yocum). It’s much better. It sells and her career is on solid ground.

At home for Amy and Laurie’s wedding, Jo is unhappy but doesn’t know why? The professor comes for a visit and seeks Jo’s hand in marriage. Will she accept?

Next up is the adult production “Avenue Q.” It opens Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 6. For questions or tickets call (574) 267-8041 or (866) 823-2618 or online at www.wagonwheelcenter.org.