As Trevor Decker News recently shared, a powerful new ballad entitled “Fly Away” was released from the new musical “Jo – The Little Women Musical.” Performed by Jenna Lea Rosen and conducted by composer Dan Redfeld with lyrics by Christina Harding and John Gabriel Koladziej, this first single offers a captivating glimpse into the reimagined hit production. Now, in a fascinating recent interview with BroadwayWorld, Rosen pulls back the curtain on how she is bringing the legendary character of Jo March vividly into the 21st century through this highly anticipated musical.
Jenna Lea Rosen discussed her thrilling new role as the legendary Jo March in the musical “Jo – The Little Women Musical.” As one of literature’s most iconic coming-of-age stories, Louisa May Alcott’s classic 1868 novel Little Women has seen countless reimaginings across various mediums, from film to ballet to theater. With each new interpretation emerges a different facet of these indelible March sisters. Now, Rosen has the privilege of stepping into the shoes of ambitious writer Jo for a 21st century audience.
When asked what initially drew her to the character, Rosen explained: “I love Jo because she is mess of contradictions. I have always been interested in her rebellion and her disregard for convention. Her yearning to be free, to travel and to go against societal norms in regard to marriage and career really resonates with me.”
Rosen went on describe her meaningful personal connection to the text, particularly one of Jo’s most famous quotes: “A moment in the novel that has always stuck with me is when Jo tells her family she wants to be a famous writer, ‘I want to do something splendid before I go into my castle–something heroic, or wonderful–that won’t be forgotten after I’m dead.’ No one in her family tells her that her dream is foolish. They support and encourage her.”
Rosen went into more depth about how her interpretation of Jo March stands apart from prior versions, including Sutton Foster’s acclaimed portrayal in the 2005 Broadway production. As she explained: “In the same way that Sutton Foster’s Jo was a facet of herself, my interpretation is processed through my own experience. What makes all art special is the people who make it.”
While paying respect to past adaptations, Rosen asserted her right to bring something new to this legendary role: “2005 was almost twenty years ago – the world is a very different place. This fresh take belongs distinctly to the present day and promises to bring the timeless story of the March sisters to a whole new generation.”
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