Little Women: The Broadway Musical (2025)
Book by Allan Knee, music by Jason Howland and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein; based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott
Directed by Florence Henderson
Musical Director - Alan Walker
Performances: Monday 20 – Saturday 25 January 2025, Old Fire Station
Contents
Introduction
Based on the semi-autobiographical two-volume novel by Louisa May Alcott, Little Women The Musical focuses on the four March sisters: traditional Meg, wild, aspiring writer Jo, timid Beth and romantic Amy, and their beloved mother Marmee, at home in Concord, Massachusetts, while their father is away serving during the Civil War.
Jo’s melodramatic short stories, written in her attic, recreate their lives and lead us through a heart-warming and tragic journey through the lives of these Little Women.
Preview from the SLT website
What drew you to directing this particular musical?
Little Women has been one of my favourite musicals ever since I saw it with my lovely mum at the Park Theatre in 2021. Even with the added emotional barrier of having to wear a mask during the performance, the show swept me up, and carried me away to Concord Massachusetts, right into Jo’s quaint little attic.
This is not only my SLT directing debut, but my directing debut full stop. The idea of Little Women first bloomed when fellow actress Holly Marsden and I were in a show together in 2022, and were talking about our dream roles. I told her that mine was Amy, the youngest of the four March sisters, and from that moment the Little Women seed was planted. I completed my professional training at ArtsEd in Musical Theatre, graduating in 2019, and as someone who thought of themselves as a lifelong performer, I’ve not only surprised those around me, but most of all myself, with my new found passion for directing! From putting on my first pair of ballet & tap shoes at 2 years old, to performing in the West End, I knew that my unconditional love for the arts would help to make Little Women a success.
Tell us about the characters we'll meet
As we travel from New York to Concord and back again, we meet the March family. This comprises loving mother Marmee (Lea Jeffers), formidable Aunt March (Delsa Ghorbani), and the four sisters, traditional Meg (Edie O’Brien), courageous Jo (Emily Baker), timid Beth (Amy Perkis) and romantic Amy (Kitty McNeill). Their Concord neighbours are Mr. Laurence (Ian MacEwan), his grandson Theodore Laurence (Jack Matthews) and his tutor John Brooke (Edward Smith). We also meet Jo’s New York/Irish landlady Mrs. Kirk (Carole Coyne) and fellow boarding house resident Professor Bhaer (Stephen Hayward).
What have been the challenges for you in directing this piece?
As a new director, every moment has been a new experience and so you might say a challenge, but one that I’ve enjoyed and I hope taken in my stride.
When directing a musical, and especially one with as much demanding music as this, the main concern is will we be able to find the performers to fill the roles? This was something I was particularly apprehensive about, but come the audition days, I was absolutely overwhelmed by not only the talent, but the sheer number of auditionees who presented. Co-ordinating music, choreography and acting has thrown us in at the deep end, but with support of my fantastic Musical Director, Alan Walker, it’s been an exhilarating process.
How do you think this show will resonate with an audience?
Little Women is a timeless tale. Many people know this story as a book or stage play, but the musical elevates the story about a family with a dream to a new emotional level. Despite being performed in period, we still see the struggles, adventures and determination each of the characters has to overcome at all levels, as a parent, sister and friend.
As the first show of the new year, I hope that the audience will go away with a sense of optimism and belief, that even in the face of all that life may throw at them, they will get through and find their ‘small umbrella’ to help weather the storm.
Describe the show in three words.
Exhilarating, moving, theatrical.
Cast
- Jo March - Emily Baker
- Marmee - Lea Jeffers
- Beth March - Amy Perkis
- Meg March - Edie O'Brien
- Amy March - Kitty McNeill
- Professor Bhaer - Stephen Hayward
- Laurie Laurence - Jack Matthews
- Aunt March - Delsa Ghorbani
- Mrs Kirk - Carole Coyne
- John Brooke - Edward Smith
- Mr Laurence - Ian MacEwan
Musicians
- Conductor - Alan Walker
- Violin - Zining Liu
- Viola - Charis Morgan
- Clarinet - Ben Adams
- Piano - Clara-Thémis Agier
- Flute - Grace Olding
- Percussion - Adam Collins
- Trumpet - Samuel Hodgkinson
Crew
- Assistant Director - Lee Ridgeway
- Stage Manager - Mark Ireson
- Assistant Stage Managers - Rachael Lovegrove, Katie Allan
- Costume - Lily Ann Coleman, Cara Rodway, Paisley Fried
- Hair and Make Up - Lily Ann Coleman
- Vocal Coach - David Newman
- Operator - Eleanor Walker
- Lighting Designer - Bob Callender
- Sound Engineer - John Winters
- Sound Crew - Adrian Jeakins, Nick Savy, Leon Chambers, Katie Allan, Jason Cowell, Dean Moore
- Scenic Artist - Carole Ironside
- Set Design - Mark Ireson
- Theatre Rep - Jack King
- Historical Adviser - Holly Marsden
- Intimacy Coordinator - Greg Williams
- Show Photography - Phil Gammon
- Build Crew - Mark Ireson, Graham Clements, Sean Thomas, Robert Wallace, Dennis Fenton, Henry Hyland, Mark Richardson, Callum Richardson
Reviews
Huge congratulations all round to the wonderful Little Women cast, orchestra and crew. A total triumph!
David Carr
If you did not get a ticket for Little Women you MISSED OUT. Set, cast, singing, band, direction, conducting, lights, sound, stage management- wow.
Jo Boniface
Couldn’t agree more. What a stupendous show. I loved every minute!
Teresa Donoghue
Well done to the Little Women. Beautiful singing and performances. Loved the set, staging and lighting too.
Jess Osorio
Many congratulations to everyone in LW. Florence Henderson has put together a great cast and band. I'm so glad youve got a week of full houses, well deserved. Enjoy your run. For any doubters who think we shouldn't do musicals think again. This one ticks all the right boxes xx
Charlotte Benstead
Beautifully sung and acted with a great band. Have a wonderful run.
Lisa Thomas
Gallery
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
Members are encouraged to write about their experiences of working on or seeing this production. Please leave your name. Anonymous entries may be deleted.
See Also
Have there been other SLT productions of this play? Link to them here.
Or add anything that is related within this site. The author's page for instance or other plays with a similar theme.
