Maureen McGovern to Take Marmee on the Road with Little Women Tour

Little Women, the Broadway musical adaptation of Louise May Alcott's beloved novel, is getting ready to hit the road. A 30-city national tour of the show will start August 30 in San Diego, with Broadway star Maureen McGovern recreating her acclaimed turn as matriarch Marmee.

"I'm delighted to be taking this beloved character on the road," McGovern told Broadway.com. "I know that audiences across the country will embrace the show in the same way they have on Broadway." As for the rigors of the road, McGovern said she's more than prepared: "I've lived my whole life on the road! In fact, for the first six years of my career, I didn't have a home anywhere. I literally lived out of seven suitcases. This is old hat for me!"

Prior to Little Women, McGovern appeared on Broadway in The Pirates of Penzance, Nine and 3 Penny Opera and in the national tour of The King and I. Regionally, she's been seen in Elegies, Dear World, Letters from 'Nam, The Lion in Winter, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Of Thee I Sing, Let 'Em Eat Cake!, The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Guys and Dolls and I Do, I Do. A two-time Grammy nominee, McGovern has recorded 25 solo albums and is best known for the Oscar-winning single "The Morning After" from the film The Poseidon Adventure.

Little Women will debut at the Civic Theatre in San Diego from August 30 to September 4 and continue with stops in San Jose, Columbus, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale and Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, among other cities.

A replacement for McGovern in the Broadway company of Little Women will be announced at a future date. Little Women also stars Sutton Foster, Megan McGinnis, Jenny Powers, Amy McAlexander, Danny Gurwin, John Hickok, Jim Weitzer, Janet Carroll and Robert Stattel.