OPERA MAINSTAGE Presents Little Women, The Broadway Musical

By Natalia Dagenhart

Wheaton College OPERA MAINSTAGE never disappoints me. Yesterday, I was happy to attend the opening night of the Broadway Musical called Little Women presented by Wheaton College OPERA MAINSTAGE. This beautiful production runs only Wednesday through Saturday, January 11-14, so get your tickets as soon as possible. The musical starts at 7:30 p.m. and takes place at the beautiful Armerding Center for Music and the Arts Concert Hall.

On Friday, January 13, and Saturday, January 14, there will be a pre-show lecture given by Dr. Alison Gibson at 6:55 pm.

Each year Wheaton College hosts a variety of top-quality musical performances which are open to the public, featuring their ensembles as well as special guests such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Productions presented by OPERA MAINSTAGE are always impressive and attract a lot of people who love music and theatre.

“OPERA MAINSTAGE is a meticulous year-long course that provides primary attention to the careful musical, vocal, and dramatic learning of a given role as students participate in the production of a classic operatic masterpiece. This program strives to prepare students for further pre-professional study in opera,” says the Wheaton College website.

It’s great to have such a gem right here, in the suburbs, with highly skilled professors and talented students, and I highly recommend everyone to take advantage of this amazing resource to see outstanding local music.

Based on Louisa May Alcott's life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters, Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested. Her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she must do better and write more about herself. Jo takes his advice and writes a story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America.

I was amazed yesterday by the selection of the student performers who participated in the musical. Each of them was a perfect fit for their role, and each of them performed their role in a professional manner and demonstrated mastery and creativity.

There are two sets of cast members for this production. The four sisters are presented by Charis Cumings in the role of Jo March, Katie Tate in the role of Meg March, Bethany Wray in the role of Beth March, and Elisabeth Patterson in the role of Amy March in the Wednesday and Friday performances. The Thursday and Saturday cast includes Joanna Percy in the role of Jo, Reilly Roman in the role of Meg, Kelsie Benware in the role of Beth, and Emily Fisher in the role of Amy.

This production made me laugh and cry, smile and think. I forgot about the reality surrounding me and became immersed in the beautiful world that showed the lives of four sisters and those who surrounded them and helped them understand who they were and their purpose in life. One of the sisters is dying from an illness in the second half of the story, and the production shows the deep grief of her sisters, mother and other people who knew her. The feelings of Jo, one of the sisters, are shown particularly vividly.

The story in general is very realistic and touching, and each of us can relate to the main characters. Their inner growth and personal development are presented by the cast members with great talent and mastery.

I would like to thank Director Olivia Doig Skaff, Music Director and Conductor Donte Ford, Lighting Design Director Diane Fairchild, Costume Design Director Cindy Moon, Dramaturg Alison Gibson, Orchestra members, and Production Directors Sarah Holman and Thomas Hueber for their hard work.

This production is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Little Women presented by Wheaton College OPERA MAINSTAGE touched my heart yesterday. I am sure, it will touch yours as well.

Remember the names of these student performers. Maybe some day they will be on Broadway.

The performances take place at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, January 11-14, at the Armerding Center for Music and the Arts Concert Hall located at 520 E. Kenilworth Ave, Wheaton.

Tickets are $12 and can be purchased here: https://tickets.wheaton.edu/shows/opera-main-stage-2023/

Natalia Dagenhart