Quintessence Theatre Group, Philadelphia's professional classic repertory theater at The Sedgwick Theatre on Germantown Avenue, celebrates its return to in-person theater by continuing its eight-year tradition of presenting classics for the whole family during the holiday season. With a book by Allan Knee, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and music by Jason Howland, Little Women: The Broadway Musical starts Dec. 1. Opening Night is Saturday, Dec. 4. The show closes on Dec. 31.
The show stars Chestnut Hill native Marielle Issa as Jo, Caitlin Ort as Meg, Cara DiPietro as Amy and Paola Morales as Beth. Jordan Dobson (My Fair Lady), last seen in the Broadway revival of West Side Story directed by Ivo van Hove, plays Laurie. Donnie Hammond (King Lear) returns to Quintessence to play Marmee, with Eleni Delopoulos (Oliver!) as Aunt March and Wilma HotHouse ensemble member Jered McLenigan (The Wizard of Oz, One Man Two Guvnors) as Professor Bhaer. The cast rounds out with Philadelphia legend Frank X (Waiting for Godot, The Seven Deadly Sins) as Mr. Laurence, and Quintessence favorite Lee Cortopassi (The Skin of Our Teeth, King Lear, Awake and Sing!, Frankenstein, My Fair Lady, Love’s Labor’s Love) as Mr. Brooke.
Based on the beloved novel, this musical accompanies sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy on their journey of self-discovery. Jo, 19 and attempting to launch a writing career, weaves magical scenes with her stories, full of twists and turns, heroes and villains. After being rejected by yet another publisher, she is challenged to write about her own life experiences, and memories of playing pretend with her sisters at Christmas come alive. We follow the March sisters as they grow from girls into young women, each determined to live life on her own terms but always bonded by family. In revisiting their moments of love, loss, and strength in the face of want, Jo discovers what her story was all along.
Inspired by the real-life escapades of author Louisa May Alcott, the timeless coming-of-age story is invigorated with song and movement to inspire the imaginations of audience members of all ages.
Visitors to the Sedgwick Theater will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test in order to attend indoor performances. Acceptable proof of vaccination includes paper copy of vaccination card, photocopy, electronic copy, photograph or through the Bindle app. Following the current policy of the city of Philadelphia, patrons are also required to wear masks at all times when inside the theatre.
For more information, call 215-987-4450, ext. 1, or email BoxOffice@QTGrep.org.
Note: Due to renovation work, not all 2021-2022 productions might be at the Sedgwick.