COEUR d'ALENE - It was written nearly 150 years ago, but the heartaches, hopes and dreams featured in "Little Women" remain as fresh as ever.

A musical theater production, based on Louisa May Alcott's 1869 novel, opens tonight at Lake City Playhouse.

"Six generations have read the story. This one will sing it," proclaimed promoters when the show opened on Broadway in 2005.

It is the enduring tale of the March family, a mother and four daughters - Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy - who are left at home in Massachusetts while their father is away during the American Civil War.

The production's score written by Jason Howlan, and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, helped motivate director George Green to bring the play to the Lake City stage.

"The music is very well written and inspiring," he said. "It is an incredibly powerful production that our community can be proud of."

As in any play based on a novel or film, some of the themes, plots and subplots found in Alcott's book had to be sacrificed to carry the story to the stage, Green said.

This production focuses primarily on the character, Jo's, dreams and desires.

Jo, high-spirited and ambitious, is the sister who steers away from the conventional goals of young women in late, 19th-century America. Instead of envisioning herself married and with children, she dreams of becoming a writer.

"To this production's benefit, the streamlined story makes it very enjoyable and decently paced," Green said. "Audiences will be comfortable with the two-hour duration."

Green said the cast worked tediously to remain true to the characters' motivations as they were originally written by Alcott.

"After watching this cast rehearse for two months, I still get choked up at the touching moments and find the delight within the soothing and comical scenes," he said.

Green said that of the nearly 50 productions he's directed in his lifetime, the "Little Women" cast has been one of his favorites to work with.

"I could go on for days talking about each and every one of these wonderful performers but seeing how this interview must conclude I will leave you this, Bethany Smith as Jo March is one of the most solid young actresses I have ever worked with," Green said. "Her vocal power and range will leave audience members in awe. Her sincerity will pull you into each and every scene."

• If you go

What: "Little Women (The Musical)"

Where: Lake City Playhouse, 1320 E. Garden Ave., Coeur d'Alene

When: Today through Feb. 1

Time: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Cost: $13.75 to $19.75

For tickets: Call the box office at 667-1323 or visit lakecityplayhouse.org