Littlebrain Theatre

Bicycle Thieves

Bicycle Thieves is a devised stage adaptation of the 1948 Vittorio De Sica film of the same name. The play follows the story of Ricci, an Italian worker striving to build a stable life for his wife and child in a post-war depression economy. When he finally finds a job that requires him to own a bike, the family pawns their possessions to purchase one. The bike is stolen on his first day of work, launching Ricci and his child Bruno into an odyssey through the streets of Rome to retrieve it. The play tackles the difficult relationship between ethics and class – the morals we strive to hold for ourselves, and the desperate situations that can cause even the staunchest minds to compromise their beliefs. With a diverse cast of nine and a team of interdisciplinary designers, Littlebrain will explore the transition of film to stage in a fresh reimagining of this classic story.

Performed by Janette Angelini, Laura Brennan, Annabella De Meo, Danny Gadaj, Ann-Claude Rakotoniaina, Denise Smolarek, Autumn Wehry, Elana Weiner-Kaplow, and Austyn Williamson. Bicycle Thieves is directed by Zach Barr and produced by Clare Brennan, with stage management from Lenny Fritsch. The set is designed by Evan Frank, lights by Fran E. Gallagher, sound and composition by Erik Siegling, props by Brandii Champagne, and photography by Willie Burton.