Little Women (musical)

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Little Women is a musical with a book by Allan Knee, lyrics

by Mindi Dickstein, and music by Jason Howland.

Little Women

Based on Louisa May Alcott's classic 1869 semiautobiographical novel, it focuses on the four March sisters
brassy, tomboy-like, aspiring writer Jo, romantic Meg,
pretentious Amy, and kind-hearted Beth and their beloved
Marmee, at home in Concord, Massachusetts while the
family patriarch is away serving as a Union Army chaplain
during the Civil War. Intercut with the vignettes in which
their lives unfold are several recreations of the melodramatic
short stories Jo writes in her attic studio.

Contents
Original Broadway Logo

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Productions
Plot
Character list
Song list
Cast
Reception
Nominations
References
External links

Productions

Music

Jason Howland

Lyrics

Mindi Dickstein

Book

Allan Knee

Basis

Louisa May Alcott's novel

Little Women

Productions 2001 and 2004 Workshop Duke

University
2005 Broadway
2005 US Tour
2008 Sydney

A workshop production was presented at Duke University in February 2001, directed by Nick Corley. This
production followed a workshop reading in March-April 2000.[1] The production next played another workshop
at Duke University in October 2004. This version was directed by Susan H. Schulman.[2]
After 55 previews, the Broadway production opened at the Virginia Theatre on January 23, 2005 and closed on
May 22, 2005 after 137 performances. It was directed by Susan H. Schulman, with choreography by Michael
Lichtefeld, set design by Derek McLane, costume design by Catherine Zuber, and lighting design by Kenneth
Posner.[3][4][5]
The Broadway cast featured Sutton Foster as Jo, Maureen McGovern as Marmee/The Hag, Janet Carroll as
Aunt March/Mrs. Kirk, Jenny Powers as Meg/Clarissa, Megan McGinnis as Beth/Rodrigo II, Amy
McAlexander as Amy/The Troll, Danny Gurwin as Laurie/Rodrigo, Robert Stattel as Mr. Lawrence/ The
Knight, Jim Weitzer as Mr. Brooke/ Braxton, and John Hickok as Professor Bhaer.[5]

A 30-city US National tour, with McGovern as Marmee and Kate Fisher as Jo ran from August 2005 (San
Diego, California) through July 2006 (Kennedy Center, Washington, DC).[6][7][8]
Peter Cousens produced the Australian premiere production, which ran at the Seymour Centre, The University
of Sydney, Sydney, from November 2008 through December 2008. Opera Australia's Stuart Maunder directed,
with musical direction by Peter Rutherford. The cast included Kate-Maree Hoolihan[9] as Jo, Trisha Noble as
Marmee, Judi Connelli as Aunt March, Erica Lovell (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1987042/) as Amy,[10]
Octavia Barron-Martin as Meg,[11] Jodie Harris as Beth, Hayden Tee as Professor Bhaer,[12] Stephen Mahy as
Laurie, David Harris as John,[13] and Philip Hinton as Mr. Lawrence.[14][15]

Plot
Act I
In 1866, Josephine March (Jo) receives a notice of rejection from another publisher, making it her twentysecond rejection. Jo asks Professor Bhaer, another boarder at Mrs. Kirk's Boarding House, his opinion on her
story ("An Operatic Tragedy"). The Professor is not entranced by her blood and guts saga. He tells her that he
thinks that she can write something better. Jo, taken aback and angry at Bhaer's reaction, asks him what he
knows to criticize her and insults him by calling him old. He reacts by saying that he has stated his opinion as
she has hers. He leaves. Jo, left alone, wonders what could be "better" than the story she has written. But then
she muses that perhaps her writing was better when she was at home in Concord, Massachusetts ("Better").
Three years earlier at her attic-studio, Jo assembles her sisters, Meg, Beth and Amy, to tell them that she will be
putting up for a show of her own called the "Operatic Tragedy". The sisters beg Jo to not put it up for a show
but Jo convinces them that this play will be a hit and will make for the best Christmas there ever was. ("Our
Finest Dreams"). Marmee, their mother, comes in with a letter from Mr. March who is away as a Union Army
chaplain in the American Civil War. As she writes a response, she reflects on how hard it is to be the pillar of
strength in the March home ("Here Alone").
Aunt March, the wealthy aunt of the March sisters, asks Jo to change from being a tomboy to a model lady of
society. She tells Jo of an idle thought to bring her along to Europe. Jo begs to go with her, but Aunt March
reasons that she will take her only if she changes. Jo, who has always dreamed of seeing Europe, agrees ("Could
You?"). Meanwhile, Meg has one of her own dreams realized: she and Jo are invited to Annie Moffat's
Valentine's Day Ball. But on the day of the ball, while the two sisters are rushing around for their finishing
touches, Meg announces that she cannot go. She asks Marmee what to say when one of her potential suitors
asks her to dance. Marmee tells Meg to just smile and say "I'd be delighted" ("Delighted"). Amy, who cares
about society and fine things more than Jo, rushes down in Jo's old ball gown to join them in going to the ball,
but Jo stops her, as she is not invited.
At the ball, Jo accidentally sits on Laurie, who is a neighbor of the Marches' along with his grumpy grandfather,
Mr. Lawrence. She apologizes to Laurie and asks him why he is sitting down. Laurie replies that he must have
passed out from too much dancing. Laurie's tutor, Mr. John Brooke, then comes in and scolds Laurie for not
meeting important people, which would make Mr. Lawrence furious. Mr. Brooke asks Meg to dance and Meg
agrees. Meg and Mr. Brooke are smitten at first sight. Laurie confesses to Jo his need for friends and asks Jo to
dance with him. Jo replies that she doesn't dance and has a patch on her dress but Laurie keeps on trying to
make an impression ("Take A Chance On Me").

Back at the March's after the ball, Jo and Amy have a little confrontation after it is revealed that a spiteful Amy
had burned Jo's story manuscript in the fireplace, but Marmee sends Amy off to her bed and tells Jo that Amy is
just a child. Jo spits back that Amy is a not a child but a demon in a child's body. Jo then rushes up to her attic to
rewrite her story. Laurie invites Jo to a skating match, which she at first refuses but eventually agrees to. Amy
wants to go with them but she already outgrown her pair of skates. Beth, who intends to stay home, offers Amy
her old skates.
Beth is sitting at the family's old piano when Mr. Lawrence comes in looking for Laurie, who is out with Jo and
Amy. Mr. Lawrence discovers Beth's talent at the piano and they sing a duet ("Off to Massachusetts"). Jo and
Laurie come in from the skating race with Amy in Laurie's arms because she had fallen into the ice while
skating. Jo and Amy reconcile, and Jo makes Laurie an honorary member of the March family ("Five Forever").
Mr. Brooke excuses Meg for a while to tell her of his enlistment in the Union Army. He then asks Meg her hand
in marriage, and she accepts ("More Than I Am").
But Jo's life goes to crisis when Mr. March's sickness calls Marmee. She has a confrontation with Aunt March
after she cuts her hair to bring Marmee to Washington. Aunt March then turns her focus to Amy, molding her to
be the society lady that she envisioned for Jo. Laurie, who decides to ask Jo to marry him, then comes in her
attic-studio. Laurie tries to kiss her but Jo gently pushes him away. He put out a ring but Jo thinks that it is a
joke. Laurie says he loves Jo. Jo does not accept his marriage proposal. He tells her that she will marry, but Jo
tells him that she will never marry; Laurie, on the contrary, says she will, but not to him ("Take A Chance On
Me (Reprise)"). Jo then ponders her future, which is changing significantly. She vows to find another way to
achieve her future ("Astonishing!").
Act II
At Mrs. Kirk's Boarding House at New York City, she is holding a telegram for Jo from Mrs. March. Jo bounces
in, looking for the Professor. She then realizes that the Professor is right in front of her. She tells them her
fantastic news: she made her first sale as an author ("The Weekly Volcano Press")! She tells them the story of
the sale as well, thanks to Professor Bhaer's advice, the re-edited story. But the news was disturbed when Jo
reads the telegram. She is notified of Beth's scarlet fever and immediately packs her bags to return to Concord.
Jo, after a few days, sends a letter to Professor Bhaer, asking him what's new in New York. The Professor
struggles to write a decent response ("How I Am"). Back in Concord, at a nearby seashore, Beth says good bye
to Jo, telling her that she is not afraid to move on because she is loved by everyone, especially Jo, and that she is
grateful to have them with her during her lifetime ("Some Things Are Meant To Be"). Beth dies soon after. Amy
and Laurie come home from Europe and struggle to tell Jo of their pending marriage because they are trying to
be discreet about the matter ("The Most Amazing Thing").
Jo and the family grieve Beth's death. Marmee, being the strong one, tells Jo of how she copes with Beth's
death: she tells Jo that she cannot be defeated by Beth's death, and that she must move on ("Days of Plenty"). Jo
reminisces while her sisters are still with her. She finds that her family and friends are themselves astonishing
and this encourages her to write her novel, Little Women ("The Fire Within Me").
On the day of Laurie and Amy's wedding, Professor Bhaer comes to Concord to see Jo. Jo is very surprised to
see him because she "never thought he would do it." He then proceeds to tell Jo of his feelings for her saying
"Though we are not at all alike, you make me feel alive." ("Small Umbrella In The Rain"). He then proposes
and Jo accepts his proposal. The Professor tells Jo that he sent the manuscript of her novel Little Women to the
Weekly Volcano Press, the same publisher that accepted Jo's operatic tragedy. He tells Jo that the publisher
agreed to publish it, and Jo proclaims her happiness ("The Weekly Volcano Press (Reprise)").

Character list
Jo March A passionate young woman. This is her story and her journey. The story centers around her
life, from the Christmas that it all started, to the writing of Little Women and her engagement to Professor
Bhaer.
Laurie (Theodore Laurence III) The young boy-next-door that is the same age as Jo. He loves Jo dearly
during Act One, but quickly is rejected when he proposes. He later travels to Europe and bonds with
Amy, with whom he falls in love and marries.
Meg The oldest sister. She yearns for a great life. She marries John Brooke and has twins later in Act II.
Amy The youngest sister with a rather pompous manner, and by that, she rides into society. She marries
Laurie in Act II.
Beth The second youngest sister. Unfortunately, she dies of Scarlet Fever in Act II. She is a peacemaker, and always sees the good in everyone.
Marmee The strong mother. She is the backbone of the family. Her songs show how truly trying this is.
Mr. John Brooke Laurie's tutor, a rather stiff man, but capable of showing emotion. He marries Meg.
Mr. Laurence Laurie's grandfather. He is a stiff and stern elderly man, but he eventually shows his softer
side and gives Beth his beloved piano that belonged to his daughter who died.
Professor Bhaer A German professor who is quite proper. He is a boarder in Mrs. Kirk's boarding house
who falls in love with Jo.
Aunt March A formidable, over-bearing matron and the great-aunt of the March sisters. She is very rich
and cares greatly about society, but also, in a stiff way, loves her family.
Mrs. Kirk - The owner of Mrs. Kirk's boarding house. Appears in a few scenes.
In the Operatic Tragedy
Clarissa The heroine of the operatic tragedy. In the original production, she is played by the actress who
plays Meg.
Rodrigo The hero of the operatic tragedy. In the original production, he is played by the actor who plays
Laurie.
Sir Braxton Prendergast The villain of the operatic tragedy. In the original production, he is played by
the actor who plays Mr. John Brooke.
Troll A character in operatic tragedy. In the original production, she is played by the actress who plays
Amy.
Hag A character in operatic tragedy. In the original production, she is played by the actress who plays
Marmee.
Knight A character in operatic tragedy. In the original production, he is played by the actor who plays
Mr. Laurence.
Rodrigo II A character in the operatic tragedy. In the original production, she is played by the actress
who plays Beth.

Song list
Act I

Act II
Overture
An Operatic Tragedy- Jo, Clarissa, Braxton,
Rodrigo
Better- Jo

The Weekly Volcano Press- Jo, Professor Bhaer,

Mrs. Kirk, Clarissa, Braxton, Rodrigo, Hag,
Troll, Knight, Rodrigo II, and Company
Off To Massachusetts (Reprise)- Mr. Laurence,

Our Finest Dreams- Jo, Beth, Amy, and Meg

Here Alone- Marmee
Could You?- Aunt March and Jo
Delighted- Marmee, Meg, Beth, and Jo
Take a Chance on Me- Laurie
Off to Massachusetts- Beth and Mr. Laurence
Five Forever- Jo, Beth, Meg, Amy, and Laurie
More Than I Am- Mr. Brooke and Meg
Take A Chance on Me (Reprise)- Laurie
Astonishing- Jo

Beth, Laurie, Marmee, Meg, Mr. Brooke

How I Am- Professor Bhaer
Some Things Are Meant to Be- Beth and Jo
The Most Amazing Thing- Amy and Laurie
Days of Plenty- Marmee
The Fire Within Me- Jo
Small Umbrella in the Rain- Jo and Professor
Bhaer
The Weekly Volcano Press (Reprise) - Jo

Cast
Original Broadway Cast (2005)
Director - Susan H. Schulman
Musical Director - Andrew Wilder
Choreographer - Michael Lichtefeld
Jo March - Sutton Foster
Beth March - Megan McGinnis
Meg March - Jenny Powers
Amy March - Amy McAlexander
Marmee - Maureen McGovern
Professor Bhaer - John Hickok
Laurie - Danny Gurwin,
Mr Brooke - Jim Weitzer
Mr Laurence - Robert Stattel
Aunt March -Janet Carroll
Mrs Kirk - Janet Carroll

Original German International Touring Cast (Opening

Night: 12-06-2010)
Director - Max Messler
Musical Director - Georgi Grov
Choreographer - Brady Harrison
Jo March - Karina Linnemann
Beth March - Lena Struckmeier
Meg March - Linda Koprowski
Amy March - Farina Ruhe
Marmee - Tanja Lammers
Professor Bhaer - Steffen Jankowski
Laurie - Christian Bindert, Mervin Marvey
(Understudy/Cover)
Mr Brooke - Tobias Spellbrink
Mr Laurence - Michael Mllenkamp
Aunt March - Karen Glker
Mrs Kirk - Marieke Brger

Reception
Ben Brantley, reviewing for The New York Times, wrote "Watching this shorthand account of four sisters
growing up poor but honest during the Civil War is like speed reading Alcott's evergreen novel of 1868. You
glean the most salient traits of the principal characters, events and moral lessons, but without the shading and
detail that made these elements feel true to life in the book...Since the characters do not acquire full
personalities, you don't feel emotionally invested in them." He wrote of Sutton Foster: "The slim and supple Ms.
Foster has a lot to carry on those twitchy shoulders. If 'Little Women' does develop the following of young girls
and their mothers the producers have targeted, it will be largely Ms. Foster's doing."[5]
The Village Voice reviewer noted "The show itself, similarly, seems lost in the drafty hugeness of the Virginia,
where the often charming family scenes are dwarfed by the high proscenium arch (emphasized by the metal
scaffolding that frames Derek McLane's otherwise attractive settings). The pity of it is that, between seizures, so

much of Little Women's reality has been established. Allan Knee's script offers long passages of astutely
condensed Alcott; Jason Howland's pleasant music, inventively orchestrated by Kim Scharnberg, pulls
contemporary shapes out of period waltzes, polkas, and quadrilles, bumpily but gamely supported by Mindi
Dickstein's uneven lyrics. And the cast, as always, offers many potential rescuers."[4]

Nominations
Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical (Foster)
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Foster)
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (McGovern)
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations

References
1. Lefkowitz, David and Jones, Kenneth. " 'Little Women' Fully Cast for NC's Duke Workshop, Feb. 8-18" (http://www.pla
ybill.com/article/little-women-fully-cast-for-ncs-duke-workshop-feb-8-18-com-94635#) Playbill, January 29, 2001
2. " 'Little Women' Cancels New Haven Tryout" (http://www.broadway.com/buzz/93397/little-women-cancels-new-haven-t
ryout/) broadway.com, June 23, 2004
3. Murray, Matthew.Review (http://www.talkinbroadway.com/world/LittleWomen.html) talkinbroadway.com, January 23,
2005
4. Feingold, Michael."Little Women as a Broadway musical? Louisa May Alcott has indeed come a long way, baby" (http://
www.villagevoice.com/theater/0505,feingold,60661,11.html) Village Voice, January 25, 2005
5. Brantley, Ben."Tomboy With Gumption (and Her Sisters)" (http://theater2.nytimes.com/2005/01/24/theater/reviews/24lit
t.html?ex=1167109200&en=8e47fe4758c0f427&ei=5070) New York Times, January 24, 2005
6. Jones, Kenneth."Ready to Astonish, Little Women Tour Has Its Jo and Laurie" (http://www.playbill.com/news/article/94
024.html), playbill.com, July 14, 2005
7. Cain, Scott.Review of tour, Cincinnati (http://www.talkinbroadway.com/regional/cincy/cincy144.html)
talkinbroadway.com, June 15, 2006
8. "'Little Women, the Broadway Musical' Listing (http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showEv
ent&event=TGTSH) kennedy-center.org, accessed November 29, 2010
9. Kate-Maree Hoolihan (http://www.aussietheatre.com.au/katemaree/news.htm)
10. Erica Lovell (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1987042/)
11. Octavia Barron-Martin (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1055076/)
12. Hayden Tee (http://www.haydentee.com/)
13. David Harris (http://www.david-harris.com.au)
14. Dent, Nick."Little Women: The Broadway Musical" (http://www.timeoutsydney.com.au/theatre/little-women-the-broadw
ay-musical.aspx) Time Out Sydney, accessed November 29, 2010
15. "Little Women listing (http://sydney.edu.au/seymour/boxoffice/program_littlewomen.shtml) sydney.edu.au, accessed
November 29, 2010

External links
Internet Broadway Database listing (http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=386281)
Official Website (http://www.littlewomenonbroadway.com/)
Little Women listing production and plot, Guide To Musical Theatre (http://www.guidetomusicaltheatre.c
om/shows_l/littlewomen.html#)
Little Women (http://www.mtishows.com/show_detail.asp?showid=000298) at the Music Theatre
International website

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Categories: 2005 musicals Broadway musicals Musicals based on novels
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