she says, blending the musical style of the 1860s with a more modern feel.

We got to see a different style of volleyball.

It represented a diverse array of country-music style as well as a diverse array of artists. We knew there were extremely high expectations, and I think this show exceeded those high expectations.

[And then there's McGovern.] It's one thing to work with a star, ... and another thing to work with a star who's so generous and kind, as well as talented. This isn't lip service; I mean it. She's known as a Stradivarius voice, with her consistent, clear, bell-like tone. Every single night, when she sings 'Days of Plenty' to me because Jo's got writer's block because of a death in the family, it's a struggle for me not to break into tears and fall apart, because I've still got to sing this big 11 o'clock number of my own. She's a great lady and warm and sweet, a generous, lovely lady.

Maureen and I started weeping when we saw the Rodrigo boots. We're the criers in the bunch, and pretty soon everyone had tears in her eyes.

And the emotion is especially strong in Boston. Here, Louisa May Alcott is their home-town girl.