‘Little Women’ Returns for Belfry’s 60th Season
Photos courtesy of Rob Slaven of Indy Ghost Light Photography
Want TO GO?
What: Hamilton County Theatre Guild and The Belfry Theatre present the family drama, “Little Women.”
When: 8 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 21 and 28; 2 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 22 and March 1, and Sundays, Feb. 23 and March 2; and 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27. American Sign Language interpreters at 2 p.m. Feb. 23 performance.
Where: Noblesville First United Methodist Church, 2051 Monument St., Noblesville
How much: $20 for adults, $15 for students, seniors or military. Find a $5 discount off of $20 adult tickets with promo code on Belfry Theatre’s Facebook or Instagram or in subscribers’ email. Special Thursday night performance is $10 for all seats.
For tickets: www.thebelfrytheatre.com,(317) 773-1085.
Barcia Alejos, her husband Jose Alejos and their son Daniel Alejos aren’t always a package deal, but when one of them needs help, the other two come to the rescue.
Working together is a natural thing for the Alejoses. And they’ve all come together once again for The Belfry Theatre’s next show, “Little Women,” the drama, opening Friday and continuing through March 2 at Noblesville First United Methodist Church.
The play is part of The Belfry’s 60th anniversary season, with seven performances in Celebration Hall at the church. Tickets are still available.
It’s the fourth time that “Little Women” has been on stage in The Belfry Theatre’s 60 years, including 1969 and 1996, both directed by the late Betty Lou Kyle; and in 2016, the musical, directed by Brenna Campbell Whitaker and the late Christy Clinton.
Barcia Alejos is the current show’s director. Jose Alejos headed up the set build (designed by Jose and Children’s Museum of Indianapolis’ visualization artist and designer Jay Ganz, who has worked with the Alejoses before), and their graphic designer son, Daniel, designed his mom’s show logos, worked on the set with his dad, co-produced the show, and took on the role as stage manager and assistant director.
Barcia always finds it easy working with her husband (of 38 years), who “has such great tastes.” She has said, “I just give the vision of what I’m after … He already has such a talent for that in our everyday lives. We work together. We just know what each others’ gifts are … It’s a really wonderful thing that he’s willing to do that with me, and I appreciate it so much.”
Jose enjoys working with his wife. “For me, it’s to try to help her,” said Jose Alejos, who also headed up the set build for the theater’s “Father of the Bride” and “Savannah Sipping Society,” for which Ganz also designed both sets.
Son Daniel has been acting on stage since he was in elementary school, enjoying the Barn Rats youth summer day camp at Mud Creek Playhouse. “That was kind of what brought me into community theater,” said Barcia, a drama major for a short time in college before changing to a Spanish major.
“Little Women,” the drama, tells the story of a journey through the lives of the four March sisters — Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy — as they grow from childhood into womanhood in Civil War-era Massachusetts. With their father away at war, the sisters, guided by their devoted mother Marmee, face life’s challenges with courage and love. Jo, the ambitious second eldest, aspires to be a writer, while managing the family’s hardships with spirited resolve. Each sister, with distinct dreams and aspirations, navigates personal trials and societal expectations, discovering that family bonds are enduring and vital. This stage adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel celebrates the resilience and enduring spirit of these remarkable women, offering a heartwarming exploration of life, love, and the importance of family.
“Little Women” features Emily Haus of Noblesville as Jo March, Emma Gedig of Indianapolis as Meg March, Natalie Piggush of Fishers as Amy March, Lizzie Schultz (a Noblesville High School grad) of Westfield as Beth March, Mary Garner of Indianapolis as Marmee, Gideon Roark of Yorktown as Laurie, Samuel Smith of Indianapolis as John Brooke, Christina Burch of Noblesville (a Noblesville High School grad) as Aunt March, Rob Lawson of Noblesville (a Noblesville High School grad) as Father March, and James Semmelroth Darnel of Indianapolis as Professor Bhaer.
The crew also features co-producer, Betsy Reason, Noblesville; set decorator, Claudia MacRae, Noblesville; props manager, Heidi Moranski, Fishers; costume/hair designer, Jillian Fleck, Anderson; lighting designer, Karissa Henschen, Indianapolis; lighting operator, Fran Knapp, Noblesville; sound designer, Eric Dixon, Indianapolis; sound operator, Kevin Moranski, Fishers; set painting team, Daniel Alejos, Claudia MacRae, Kiersten Clifford; and set building team, Jose and Daniel Alejos, Gideon Roark, Noah Wilson and Jeff Garner.