Little Women (adapted from Louisa May Alcott)
Jay Richards
Genre: Drama
Cast size: 20
Duration: Two Act
Jay Richards | Musical | Drama | 5m, 7f + Chorus
Short synopsis
- Synopsis
- Characters
- Reviews
PROLOGUE—Attic of the March home.
SCENE 1—New England Village in winter. Cast enters—coming and going on a busy village street (JOYOUS DAY). The March girls are taking dinner to the Hummels. Marmee stops to post a letter (MY LITTLE WOMEN).
SCENE 2—March home. March girls are bemoaning Christmas with no money. Marmee comes home with a letter from Father. Suddenly, Aunt March blusters in, bringing one dollar for each of them. They hurry off to the shops to spend it. Marmee reads Father’s letter. They sing together±—he away at war, and she at home (JOYOUS DAY REPRISE 1/MY PRAYER).
SCENE 3—Willoughby's store. The March girls are buying presents for themselves. Beth decides to get something for Marmee instead. The rest follow (JOYOUS DAY REPRISE 2).
SCENE 4—March home. The girls speculate about "that Laurence boy" next door. Jo's dress catches fire. They receive an invitation (TO THE BALL).
SCENE 5—Laurence Mansion. Party guests arrive (TO THE BALL REPRISE). Guests move to the ballroom (THE PALACE BEAUTIFUL), leaving Laurie and Jo alone in the antechamber. They meet and dance the polka together (JO & LAURIE'S POLKA). Meg reenters with a sprained ankle. Mr. Brook dotes on her and offers to take her home. Jo and Laurie sing about love (LOVE DOESN'T HAPPEN THAT WAY).
SCENE 6— Laurence Mansion. Jo visits the "ailing Mr. Laurence." Jo sings about her dreams (I WILL FLY). Old Mr. Laurence introduced.
SCENE 7—March home. Beth is making slippers for Mr. Laurence. The older girls go to theatre without Amy. In anger, Amy burns Jo's manuscript.
SCENE 8—March attic. Meg and Beth are fussing with dolls. Jo is cross and goes skating with Laurie.
SCENE 9—Frozen river. Jo and Laurie are skating. Amy catches up and falls through thin ice. Laurie rescues her. Marmee enters and finds a grieving Jo (PROVIDENCE).
ACT II SCENE 1—March home in Spring. Meg is humming happily. Jo inquires about Mr. Brook who calls on Meg. Aunt March arrives unexpectedly and scolds Meg for her attachment (MARRY MONEY!). Meg confesses her love to Mr. Brook (ALL THAT IT CAN BE).
SCENE 2—March attic. Jo is brooding as she rewrites her stories. Beth comforts her and sings of never leaving home (ENOUGH FOR ME).
SCENE 3—March home. Beth receives a gift—a piano— from Mr. Laurence and goes to thank him (UNEXPECTED FRIENDS).
SCENE 4—March home. News arrives that Father is wounded. Jo goes to Aunt March for train fare. They quarrel and she ends up selling her hair. Marmee goes to Father (MY PRAYER REPRISE).
SCENE 5—March home. Beth comes home from Hummels and collapses with fever. The girls send for Laurie and Mr. Laurence. Laurie has already sent a telegram. Beth is very ill. Mr. Laurence sings (UNEXPECTED FRIENDS REPRISE).
SCENE 6—March garden in summer. Meg’s wedding (FROM THIS DAY). Laurie proclaims his love to Jo. She refuses him and he is broken-hearted (LOVE DOESN'T HAPPEN THAT WAY REPRISE).
SCENE 7—Seashore in fall. Beth is trying to recuperate, but tells Jo she's not going to get well. Jo breaks down, but Beth is strong and comforts her (PROVIDENCE REPRISE). In-one scene: Father steps forward and tells of each of the girls (Meg married Mr. Brook, Amy went to Europe w/Aunt March, Jo’s book was published, Beth "slipped away peacefully.” (MY LITTLE WOMEN REPRISE).
SCENE 8—March attic. Jo is taking one last look before leaving home. She says goodbye to Beth, holds her manuscript in her arms, and sings (I WILL FLY FINALE) joined by her family and entire ensemble.
Listen to the songs here
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