Sisters story: Lehi Arts Council to bring classic novel to the stage with “Little Women” the musical
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- The lead actresses of Lehi Arts Council’s Little Women are shown in this photo from March 2025. From left Mila Brown as Beth March, Bo Chester as Jo March, Felicia Kelso as Meg March and Taylor Jaegar as Amy March
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- The lead actresses of Lehi Arts Council’s Little Women are shown in this photo from March 2025.
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- The lead actresses of Lehi Arts Council’s Little Women are shown in this photo from March 2025.
The Lehi Arts Council’s production of “Little Women” is set to put an uplifting take on a timeless tale.
Based on the 19th century novel, the musical tells the story of the four March sisters as they navigate life in Concord, Massachusetts, while their father is away serving as a Union Army chaplain during the Civil War.
Set in the late 1860s the audience gets a dose of each the sisters dynamic and unique personalities: The traditional Meg, timid Beth and romantic Amy, and their beloved Marmee.
Then there’s Jo March, an aspiring storyteller with a fearless spirit and heart full of bravery and passion.
Bo Chester of American Fork said playing the role of Jo is like a dream come true, noting that she feels a deep connection to the character.
“She’s very, very special to me because I see a lot of myself in her,” Chester said. “I also admire her passion, I admire her tenacity, I admire her ability to continue to get back up, even when life pushes her down. And of course, I have a soft spot for the love she has for her sisters.”
Chester is no stranger to theater. Her extensive acting background including roles in productions such as “Newsies” and “Hello Girls” at the Hale Center Theater in Orem and Sandy.
“Little Women” marks her first performance with the Lehi Arts Council and looks forward to bringing her fierce talent to the role of Jo March.
“Jo was so close to my heart, and I just wanted to be her so bad,” Chester told the Daily Herald.
The production is directed by Rex Kocherhans, who is also serving as the production’s music director.
He says the musical celebrates the everyday struggles and relationships within a family dynamic, something Kocherhans feels many can relate to.
“I think people can see themselves in characters and in these relationships between the characters, and it’s shockingly resonant,” he said. “We’re talking about a story that was written in the mid 19th century and even today these characters and their relationships and stories are funny and poignant and relatable, and that’s what this show highlights.”
Kocherhans said each performer possesses strong talents who bring each character to life.
He hopes audiences walk away from the heartwarming musical recognizing the power of sisterhood and family love.
“How they overcome adversity, and how they work through challenges together within their relationships,” Kocherhans said. “Those are, I think, universal themes for anybody who has women in their lives.”
Chester noted the synergy between fellow castmates through preparations and rehearsals and she hopes the audience will be inspired by Jo’s passion, the relationships among each of the characters and can feel their own connection in the intimate setting of the Lehi Arts Council theater.
“I feel like Little Women is the perfect show to be staging in that theater because the audience is right there with us, which is what we want,” she said.
Lehi Arts Council’s “Little Women” runs May 2-17 at the Lehi Arts Center located at 685 N. Center Street.
Tickets can be purchased online at lehiarts.org or at the door.
