By Ernio Hernandez
20 Nov 2009

Elizabeth Marvel as Louisa May Alcott
photo by Liane Brandon

Stage actress Elizabeth Marvel will star in the biographical documentary "Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women," which is slated to premiere on PBS' American Masters.

The feature-length film centering on the author will debut Dec. 28 at 9 PM (ET). Nancy Porter directs Harriet Reisen's script.

"To present a flesh and blood Louisa," Porter and Reisen, according to production notes, "used dialogue exclusively from writings or firsthand reports of conversation; nothing was invented." Scenes for actors were shot in their original settings (such as Orchard House, Emerson's Study, Fruitlands) or historic houses. Scenes are intercut with interviews.

Marvel appears as Alcott in a cast that also includes Tony Award winner Jane Alexander (The Great White Hope, The Sisters Rosensweig, "Kramer vs. Kramer," "Tell Me You Love Me") in the role of Alcott's first biographer, Ednah Cheney.

Marvel has been seen on Broadway in Top Girls, Seascape, An American Daughter, Taking Sides and The Seagull as well as in Off-Broadway's Almost an Evening, Dark Matters, A Streetcar Named Desire, Shopping and Fucking and her Obie Award-winning turn in Hedda Gabler. She will star next Off-Broadway in Suzan-Lori Parks' drama The Book of Grace at The Public Theater.

For more information, visit the full website (featuring video clips, artwork and more) at alcottfilm.com.

Jane Alexander as Ednah Cheney
photo by Liane Brandon