The Ballad of Little Jo

October 17 - November 2, 2025
The Plaza Theatre at The Boston Center for the Arts
Director: Katie Swimm
Music Director: Jeff Kimball

Music by Mike Reid
Lyrics by Sarah Schlesinger
Book by Sarah Schlesinger, Mike Reid and John Dias
Based on the film The Ballad of Little Jo by Maggie Greenwald

THE BALLAD OF LITTLE JO is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
Orchestrations and Music Copywork by Danny Haengil Larsen
Dance/Incidental Arrangements by John C. O’Neill
Vocal Arrangements by Patrick Vaccariello

Inspired by a true story, The Ballad of Little Jo recounts the life of Josephine Monaghan, who leaves her home and child in Boston to make a life for them both out West.  With no other resources, Josephine begins to work in a mining camp in Idaho, disguised as a man known as “Jo.” With a folk-infused score by Grammy Award-winning Nashville songwriter Mike Reid and lyricist Sarah Schlesinger, Little Jo explores identity, prejudice, fear, and the beauty and horror of the American West at the end of the 19th century.

Performances:

OPENING NIGHT: Friday, October 17th, 7:30pm
Saturday, October 18, 7:30pm
Sunday, October 19, 2:00pm
Friday, October 24, 7:30pm
Saturday, October 25, 7:30pm
Sunday, October 26, 2;00pm
Monday, October 27, 7:30pm (Industry Night)
Friday, October 30, 7:30pm
Saturday, November 1, 7:30pm
Sunday, November 2, 2:00pm

Learn more about auditions here!