Music: Dan Redfeld
Book and Lyrics: Christina Harding and John Gabriel Koladziej
Director: JoAnn M. Hunter
In this one-night-only world premiere, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women comes to the West End. Like the classic novel, this musical focuses on Jo March, played here by Christine Allado, whose passion is to write. Her coming-of-age story is affected by a variety of factors as she and her sisters transform from girls to women.
Due to this being a one-day performance, there is no proper stage for the actors to work on. Instead, the back of the stage is the musical’s key art that captures that essence of the production. There are a few props in use, but this only enhances the experience, and the focus is squarely on the acting and the musical numbers.
This is also true for the costumes. Each actor wears outfits that match their character. It is interesting that these outfits are not period correct. This contrasts sharply with the time period, as they mention the American Civil War. Regardless, the costumes for a one-day show work well.
With a star-studded cast, there is no standout as the entire cast easily works together to create a familial atmosphere. It is magical watching the four Marsh sisters interact, grow and meet every challenge that is thrown their way both as individuals and as a unit. The four actors who play the sisters (Christine Allado, Kelly Mathieson, Eleanor Grant, and Sophie Pollono) create a wonderful dynamic that is similar to the book.
As with any adaptation, the original content changes to bring the characters to the stage. This musical is no different. On the one hand, the loss of some scenes from the book makes the musical, at times, feel rushed as connections between characters are quickly formed while tensions are similarly easily resolved. On the other hand, this speed is normal in musicals, and the plot is still easy to follow. At its core, this production is still able to maintain the main themes of the original story.
The first half is stronger than the second half. This is because the actors playing the sisters work so well together. When they are separate in the second act, there is an absence of the other three. This is well done and shows how each girl undergoes a transformation into a woman. Beth’s death is handled extremely well and is one of the most powerful moments of the entire musical.
The musical scores and lyrics perfectly capture the themes of this story. Making Jo’s stories into musical numbers is a lovely touch and really brings alive her imagination. The orchestra is on stage with the rest of the cast, bringing an intimate feel to the production. Similar to a family, the actors and musicians work together to create a perfect harmony.
The dialogue is also well delivered, and the usage of humour is well executed. Aunt March (Tracie Bennett) becomes a hilarious slapstick character, which works extremely well.
If the standing ovation is any indication, it is that this musical needs to become a more permanent feature. Jo: A Little Women Musical is a compelling coming-of-age story with whimsy and wisdom all packed into one amazing show.
Reviewed on 25 January 2026
