CODA’s Little Women: A Review

This show is a feat of its own; throughout its whopping runtime of 2 hours and 40 minutes, Little Women tells the story of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel. With a score by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, and book by Allan Knee, the show is a huge navigation of sisterhood, determination, loss, and love, in all its forms, but the cast and company rose to the challenge.

The set, designed by Kathryn Sergi, welcomed audiences with the warmth of the March home. Lived in and loved in, the foundations were set for a show guaranteed to touch hearts. Enter our leading lady, Jo March, performed by the show-stopping Jordan Berry. All us reviewers have to say is that Berry’s belt deserves to be studied and hung up in an art gallery, because, well, DAMN. 

The show is spearheaded by our four darling March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, played by Gabrielle Lanham, Jordan Berry, Rachel Baker, and Bailee Guyer, respectively—who take to the stage with so much heart, and a solidity within their characters that makes how hard they’ve worked crystal clear. These magic little moments of authenticity and intimacy among the cast were real highlights within the sweeping show, with Kris Sergi’s direction leading the cast with tact and tenderness. Their comforting and lively dynamic, combined with the coziness of the set, warmed the intimate Chippen Street Theatre so much it felt we were genuinely in the family home. The 19th century New England chic was really brought to life by the talented costume designer Melissa Applin, allowing the March sisters, true to form, to all don their own colour palettes while still looking uniform.

As it is largely set within the March family home, the show runs a risk of it possibly feeling repetitive and small, but the energy that the cast all brought, despite preview night nerves, cast this fear out of everyone’s minds. All the way from the maternal tenderness (and jaw-dropping vocals) of Marmee March, played by Lucy Bailes, to the pompous elegance of Caitlin Beckwith’s Aunt March, the entire cast was a joy to watch. 

The show is supported by the swell of a beautiful live orchestra who add so much texture and vibrancy to the music, lulling audiences through excitement and heartbreak, like a heartbeat in the close proximity of the stage. Between the determination and power of ‘Astonishing’ bringing Act 1 home and giving us the strength that we needed for a gut-wrenching Act 2, and the delicate friendship that builds between Beth and Will Kilgour’s Mr Laurence, the emotional ground that this show covers is beautiful to watch. 

Just as the adult cast gave the show their all, the junior ensemble of the show was a real standout. These ankle biters gave the rest of the cast a run for their money, hitting every mark and then some in their choreo. A very special shout out to Lilly Barry and Katie Clements who played young Jo and Beth, performing the most delicate and tender duet.

Now, here is where we would usually plug the hell out of tickets… unlucky for you, dear reader, but CODA’s entire season of Little Women is sold out. You heard that right. We hope you’ve already managed to snag a ticket, or you better hope and pray for a return season soon!

CODA has an awesome lineup for the rest of their 2025 season, so keep an eye on their website!