Robbins, who was recently seen in the Atlanta world premiere of Managing Maxine, has previously directed Crimes of the Heart for the Missouri institution. The Allan Knee-Mindi Dickstein-Jason Howland musical is scheduled to play Stephens College's Macklanburg Playhouse Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 10-13. The production will close a year-long celebration of the College's 175th anniversary.

Based on the 1869 novel by Louisa May Alcott, Little Women, according to press notes, "follows the March sisters as they come-of-age in 19th century New England. While their father is serving as an army chaplain during the Civil War, their beloved mother, Marmee, is left to raise the four girls. As each sister tries to find their place in the world, they inevitably take paths that lead them all in different directions; yet they never lose their sisterly bond that helps define who they are at heart." The Broadway company co-starred Tony winner Sutton Foster and Maureen McGovern.

Jana Robbins starred in the national tour of The Tale of the Allergist's Wife and was also the standby for both Valerie Harper and Michele Lee in the Broadway production of that Charles Busch play. Her many other theatrical credits include roles in Good News, Romance/Romance, Crimes of the Heart, Gypsy, Footloose, Man of La Mancha, Zorba, Bye Bye Birdie and Cat On a Hot Tin Roof. Robbins was also seen on an episode of NBC-TV's "Law & Order" and was a co-producer of the Broadway musical Little Women and the Off-Broadway musical I Love You Because. She was recently seen on screen in "The Women."

Macklanburg Playhouse is located at 100 Willis Avenue on the campus of Stephens College in Columbia, MO. Tickets, priced $14 (general admission) and $7 (students/seniors), are available by calling (573) 876-7199.