LONDON: Decades after three Californian youth theatre students decided to create a musical based on Louisa May Alcott’s coming-of-age classic ‘Little Women’, the show made a sell-out world premiere at London’s Theatre Royal.
Titled “Jo – The Little Women Musical”, the project began when composer Dan Redfeld saw the 1994 film adaptation starring Winona Ryder and Susan Sarandon. “We were the age of the characters when we wrote it. Now we are coming back to it as adults,” Redfeld said during a pre-performance interview.
The musical faced multiple delays, including loss of funding following the 9/11 attacks and further postponements during the Covid pandemic. The show was eventually revived with financial support and a cast of prominent performers.
A major highlight of the premiere was the nearly 30-member orchestra, reminiscent of the lavish West End musicals of the late 1980s and 1990s. Kerry Ellis, who plays Marmee, called the orchestral arrangements “very special” and noted their rarity in contemporary musicals.
The West End premiere was preceded by an album recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios, where legendary artists like The Beatles recorded. While the premiere was a one-night event, producers are planning additional performances but have not revealed dates.
The production celebrates both nostalgia for classic musicals and the enduring appeal of Alcott’s story of family, ambition, and resilience.
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