The Broadway musical version of a beloved book by Louisa May Alcott is the debut project of Vashon Teen Musical Theatre Project (VTMT).

This group of young thespians is getting ready to open an Island production of “Little Women” for a two-weekend run at Bethel Church.

Marita Ericksen, VTMT’s director, explained that the musical seemed like a perfect project to launch the new teen ensemble. “We have an amazing pool of teenaged talent here,” she said.

Ericksen, who has more than 30 years of music education experience, recruited noted Island actor Rich Wiley and his wife Sue Wiley to stage and produce “Little Women.”

Twenty young actors, ranging in age from 11 to 17, have been rehearsing the show since last summer.

Emma Hennessey will play Jo, the headstrong central character of the book. The other March girls will be played by Anna Rose Warren, who is cast as Amy, Madeleine Wolczko in the role of Beth and Lizzy Schoen in the role of Meg. Other cast members include Maya Krah, Maya McTighe, Megan Hackett, Sage Everett, David Katz, Devan Barnes, Grant Lyons, Katie Brown, Lilly Hennessey, Lucien Brillant, Malia Mandl, Mara Burns, Max Lopuszynski, Michelle Gilmour, Olivia Mangione, Zoe Adberg and Julianna Cormier.

“I have had such a wonderful experience working with these kids,” Rich Wiley said. “I have practically seen some of them grow up on Drama Dock stages, and it is a great privilege to see them grow into a whole new level of experience as teenagers.”

Tickets and times

“Little Women” will be performed at Bethel Church, 14736 Bethel Lane S.W.

Show times are 7 p.m. Fridays, Jan. 16 and 23; 7 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 17 and 24 and 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18.

Tickets are $10 general and $8 for students and seniors and are on sale at Vashon Bookshop, Vashon Island Music and Books by the Way.