Posted By: Dr. Mark Dreisonstok on: March 24, 2026
In a chapter appropriately entitled “Burdens” in Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women,” sisters Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March are determined “Rich or poor, we will keep together and be happy in one another.” This triumphal spirit in the face of life’s challenges has endeared this classic novel to generations of readers since it was published in 1868 and decades of filmgoers in the work’s many cinematic incarnations. Many fans of the novel may be surprised to learn the novel in this century now works its magic as a Broadway-stye musical.
This production is highly recommended to both old and new fans…
Audiences at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts may experience “Little Women: The Broadway Musical” and its warmth in a wonderful production led by Carson Eubank. Normally the musical director of the orchestra, he makes his debut in this production as director. Keyboardist Ellie Kahn serves her first time as conductor of the theatre’s fine orchestra.
The story follows the adventures of four teenage sisters who are very different: the pugnacious writer Jo, the more traditional Meg, the sensitive musician Beth, and the artist Amy. Illnesses, jealousy, poverty, separations and, at times, the boy-next-door, Laurie, test their allegiances as their characters grow. These aspects of the novel are faithfully represented on the stage, although there are occasional differences from the novel to make this material effective as a musical.
The cast is in excellent form in terms of acting as well as musical talent. Ashley Beary takes the lead role as Jo, with a powerful voice especially in her solos “Astonishing” and “The Fire Within Me”—songs with lyrics truly expressive of her character. Grey Garrett is wonderful as Marmee, the family matriarch, and she comes into her own in her solo song “Days of Plenty.” “How Am I” allows a deep-voiced Ariel Messeca to come into his own as Professor Bhaer, erudite mentor and friend of Jo. There is an especially warm moment in the duet “Off to Massachusetts” between Ella Schnoor as Beth and Ian Lane as Mr. Lawrence as the latter’s stern character softens and shy Beth comes out of her shell. Matt Beary as Laurie, Sarah Mae Anderson as Meg, and Madison Cox as Amy are all uniformly very good as well.
Costume designer Bee Gable deserves high praise for her wonderful recreations of 19th century fashions but also for her more flamboyant costumes as the over-the-top fictional creations of Jo are enacted and sung on sage. The scenic designs are simple, but highly effective, as action swings back and forth between the modest home of the four March sisters and their mother, the mansion of Mr. Laurence, and the boarding house in New York in which Jo for a time resides. On this last point, it is notable that the story begins in the boarding house and the early chapters are told in flashback form, so audience members are advised to review “Little Women” in book or film form first to be sure to follow this less-linear presentation of the plot. This production is highly recommended to both old and new fans of “Little Women.”
Running Time: Three hours including one intermission.
“Little Women: The Broadway Musical” runs through April 26, 2026 at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, 95 Riverside Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22406. For more information and to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 540.370.4300, Sunday 12pm-3pm; Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10am – 6pm; Thursday, Friday 10am – 7:30pm; and Saturday 12pm – 7:30pm, or go online.
