On a cold January evening, the lights rise at the Bert Church LIVE Theatre and the March sisters step into the spotlight, inviting audiences into a world of family, dreams, and growing up.
Bert Church High School’s (BCHS) production of Little Women promises warmth, laughter, and heartfelt storytelling during the cold month when the community needs it most, running from January 21 to 24.
Based on Louisa May Alcott’s timeless novel and set during the American Civil War, the play follows sisters Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March as they navigate growing up amid joy, heartbreak, ambition, and fierce family love. Warm, funny, and deeply moving, the story celebrates the bonds that shape us and the courage it takes to become who we are.
For Tom Williams, head of the drama department at BCHS, the heart of the production lies in its coming-of-age journey.
“We get to know the girls as teenagers and watch as they grow into little women (see what I did there?), discovering life, death, but most importantly, love,” he said.
The scale of the production is impressive, involving a large portion of the school’s theatre community. Between the two casts and the behind-the-scenes crew, there are about 40 students involved. From actors on stage to technicians and designers backstage, students have committed countless hours to bringing the March family’s story to life.
“The students have poured themselves into this production, rehearsing an average of 10 hours per week over and above their regular classes,” adds Williams.
That dedication includes time spent sourcing costumes, memorizing lines, building set pieces, and even organizing rehearsals outside of school during October’s Alberta Teachers Association job action.
The production also highlights community collaboration. Williams expressed pride in the set, which features stage flats built by the school’s woodshop class, pieces painted by the backstage crew, and furniture borrowed from the Nose Creek Players. Costumes are period-appropriate and were created by a small team of students and a parent volunteer.
Williams says the show is perfectly timed for a mid-winter escape.
“Little Women is a fun, feel-good, family-friendly story. Who doesn’t need some warmth in this cold January?”
He adds that fans of the novel can expect a faithful adaptation.
“Yes, the major beats of the novel are represented on stage, from playful beginnings watching the March sisters rehearsing in their living room, to a proposal or two at Plumfield at the conclusion,” he says.
Ultimately, Williams hopes audiences come out to celebrate local talent.
“So, whether you’re already a fan or you’re brand new to the March family, you’ll have a terrific time watching BCHS’s amazing students show off their skills on the Bert Church Theatre stage,” he said.
Tickets are on sale now at tickets.airdrie.ca, offering Airdrie residents a chance to support local theatre and experience a classic story brought to life by passionate young performers.
