‘Little Women’ musical to premiere at The Ideal Playhouse with special guest Michael McLean

Photo: LittleWomenMusical

HEBER CITY, Utah – The Ideal Playhouse will present Little Women: The Broadway Musical on Friday, Sept. 27, bringing Louisa May Alcott’s cherished 1869 novel to life on stage. The performance, set from 7:30 to 9:40 p.m., will feature a special guest appearance by local playwright and songwriter Michael McLean as Mr. Laurence.

The musical, which premiered on Broadway in 2005, follows the lives of the four March sisters—Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth—as they navigate personal discovery, heartache, and enduring love while their father is away fighting in the Civil War. Set in Concord, Massachusetts, this adaptation stays true to Alcott’s themes of family, resilience, and the bonds that hold them together.

The cast includes Ashley Bates as the determined Jo, Emme Chaffin as the artistic Amy, Sophie Shepherd as the maternal Meg, and Maisey Blaser as the gentle Beth. Lisa Blaser will portray Marmee, the strong matriarch of the family, with Nicole Cable as the strict Aunt March. The male leads include JC Wangsgaard as Laurie, Cam Bronson as Professor Bhaer, and Tyson Augustus as Mr. Brooke.

McLean, a well-known figure in Utah’s artistic community, will take on the role of Mr. Laurence, adding to the local excitement surrounding the production. McLean has made significant contributions to the arts as a songwriter, playwright, and filmmaker, and his involvement with this production marks a notable moment for The Ideal Playhouse.

As a composer, McLean has produced more than 20 albums of original music, selling over one million copies since his 1983 debut. Focused mainly on a Latter-day Saint audience, McLean has also produced albums with a broader appeal, such as The Forgotten Carols. His most recent musical releases have been through Shadow Mountain Records, with The Forgotten Carols on a separate Deseret Book label.

Tickets are available online and at the box office.