Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Treasured Classic Comes Alive at The Island Theater  

May 7, 2019
2 mins read

Prepare to be charmed and delighted as you experience a timeless coming-of-age story that will delight audiences young and not-so-young alike.  Fleming Island’s The Island Theater brings Little Women- A Broadway Musical to life in a sweet and homey way. Feel like a child again as you relive this classic tale, or discover it for the first time.

You’ll instantly fall in love with sisters Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March as they explore themes such as family, friendship, purpose, and fulfillment during the Civil War years. Written by Louisa May Alcott in 1868, the show debuted on Broadway in 2005 with a unique twist penned by Allan Knee and with music by Jason Howland and lyrics by Mindi Dickenstein. There are notable differences between the novel and the musical, but it’s absolutely wonderful.  Powerful songs will stir your soul and add a lot of depth and dimension to a familiar story.

Little Women, The Island Theater, Fleming Island, Florida, Jennifer Melville

Directed by David Phillips, Little Women-The Broadway Musical features fabulous local talent. If you’ve been to a production at The Island Theater before, you’ll recognize many of these names.

Christine Phillips plays a masterful Jo. She’s also appeared in James and the Giant Peach, Company, White Christmas, Kiss Me Kate, and Shrek. Brava, Christine! You were wonderful.

Clare Hambleton plays the oldest March sister, Meg. She’s performed in Shrek the Musical, Oliver, and Hello Dolly.

Little Women, The Island Theater, Fleming Island, Florida, Jennifer Melville

Nicole Labadie won the audience over as adorable Beth. She’s appeared in Legally Blonde and Shrek and was voted “Best Director of a Play” at The Island Theater for The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [Abridged].

Jodie Jernigan stole the show as Amy. Jernigan not only appears regularly in The Island Theater productions, but she also choreographed this show. Her portrayal of Amy was memorable and delightful.

Michelle Munley was fabulous as Marmee. Her rendition of “Here Alone” was a ballad to military wives everywhere and moved me deeply. Munley has also appeared in Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, and The King and I.

Little Women, The Island Theater, Fleming Island, Florida, Jennifer Melville

Another favorite was Noah Peacock as Laurie/ Rodrigo. His lovable smile enchanted the audience. While he’s an accomplished performer, this was his first performance at The Island Theater and he rocked it.

The set was lovely, the costumes were great, and the vocals outstanding. Don’t scoff at the idea of a Broadway musical performed on a community theater stage. These performers may be volunteers with day jobs or school to attend, but they give it their all and put on quite a show.  

Little Women, The Island Theater, Fleming Island, Florida, Jennifer Melville

If you’re looking for wholesome fun close to home this Mother’s Day weekend, Little Women is a stellar musical not to be missed. Of all the productions I’ve seen at The Island Theater, this was my favorite. The theater may be small, but its heart is big and the men and women who perform on stage have incredible talent. There’s no language or provocative content, so the entire family can enjoy it. My nine-year-old daughter was delighted from beginning to end. I loved Little Women as a young girl—what a neat opportunity to experience it together and introduce her to a story dear to my heart.

Little Women- The Broadway Musical plays at The Island Theater from May 3-12. Bring mom out for a Mother’s Day weekend adventure, or share the experience with your own children.  It’s charming and delightful and you won’t be disappointed.

Jennifer Melville is a contributing writer for EU Jacksonville, South Magazine, Folio Magazine, Green Prints, Focus on the Family, and various other print and online publications. She’s a military wife, mother of four, and a leader in the NE Florida homeschooling community. You can check out more of her work on her website, Azalea Publications or follow her on Twitter.

Current Issue

Recent Posts

SUBMIT EVENTS

Submit Events

Advertisements

Welcome to Rockville 2025
SingOutLoadFestival_TheAmp_2025
omaha-steaks-banners

Date

Title

Current Month

Follow FOLIO!

Reasons to be Pretty, Self Produced Theatre, Photo by Kenggy Bravo, Jacksonville, Florida
Previous Story

A New Intimate Atmosphere for Performances: ‘Reasons to Be Pretty’ at Self Produced Theatre

Next Story

The Kids Issue: 18 Under 18

Latest from Feature

Bouquets and Brickbats

BOUQ To Representative Angie Nixon for calling on UNF to stand up for their students and not train campus police to work on ICE’s behalf under the Trump regime’s hostile government takeover.      To Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Sarah Svejkovsky for receiving the Sailor of the Year Award. The Navy’s

New Music Monthly

Words by Amiyah Golden May 9  Kali Uchis: “Sincerely” Kali Uchis revealed the news about her upcoming album “Sincerely” to fans in March via her Instagram. Uchis has kept much of her project under wraps, but fans are still excited to hear what she has created for her fifth

A Glimpse into the World of John O’Brien

Words and photos by Amiyah Golden “As a very young child, probably around 5 years old, I saw my mother in the leading role in a musical play that was being put on by a local amateur acting group that she was — unbeknownst to me — a member

Jason Isbell: The Last Honest Songwriter

Words by Teresa Spencer In a music world bloated with flash and pretense, Jason Isbell stands tall with no rhinestones, no smoke machines, no bull. He’s one of the most critically respected American singer-songwriters alive today. The real deal: a man with deep Southern roots, a razor-sharp pen and

Chalk It Up to Punk

Meet Chalk Tiger  Words by Ambar Ramirez By day, Bryce Powell handles home loans, Ryan Cobb troubleshoots IT systems at a law firm, and Blake Powell builds pools under the Florida sun. But when the sun dips low and the clock-out chimes hit, a different kind of work begins.
July 5th Cleanup
GoUp

Don't Miss

Major Awards for A Christmas Story at The Island Theater

Major Awards for A Christmas Story at The Island Theater

It’s the holiday season and options are abundant in the
A Fairy-Tale Delight: Into the Woods at The Island Theater 

A Fairy-Tale Delight: Into the Woods at The Island Theater 

Fairy-tale lovers, delight! Into the Woods at The Island Theater