Musical version of Little Women plucks at the heartstrings

Robin Burlingham has just finished a run-through of the song Our Finest Dreams from Little Women, The Musical. Coincidentally, playing Jo in the show is a dream in itself.

“I’ve listened to this in my car a million times. I’m sure people have seen me at a stop light, belting along to this music,” she laughs.

The Saskatoon Summer Players production features a large cast and live orchestra under the direction

of Bobby Williston, who saw the original Broadway version, which debuted in 2005.

“Little Women is a heartwarming tale of the strength and character of the female spirit. It is playfully full of zest and tragically pulls at heartstrings,” Williston has said.

Burlingham plays would-be writer Jo in the story of the four

March sisters growing up while their father is serving in the Union army during the Civil War. Julia MacPherson stars as Amy, Siarra Riehl as Meg and Heather Currie as Beth. The music, of course, sets it apart from the usual stage version.

“It has a lovely score with swelling classical orchestrations,” says Burlingham.

“This is an emotional musical so it runs the gamut. You meet the sisters, you see them playing dressup as kids in their attic and just being goofs and silly and having fun. And you see them growing up and making all the decisions that come with growing up — you see pain, you see sadness and loss, but most of all you see the love of family.”