The World’s Greatest Dancing Bear will take to the Frances Marion Brown Stage in April as The Oswego Players proudly presents “The Arkansaw Bear” by Aurand Harris.
Saddened and bewildered at her grandfather’s approaching death, Tish runs to her “special tree.” There, in a world of fantasy provided by her wish on a star, she meets the aforementioned dancing bear. He is old, like her grandfather, and is running away. In trying to help him, she begins to understand the meaning of both life and death, which helps her to cope with her own sadness.
“The Arkansaw Bear” – an important work by America’s foremost playwright for young audiences blends realism and fantasy, pathos and humor. It is delightfully theatrical, with music, magic, and dance, and has been enthusiastically applauded by children and family audiences alike.
Directed by Norman Berlin, III it is part of double-bill collaboration with the Oswego Opera Company who will present children’s opera “Brundibár” by Jewish Czech composer Hans Krása, libretto by Adolf Hoffmeister, and directed by Juan LaManna.
The joint production will run April 5th, 6th and 7th at the Oswego Players, “The Little Theatre on the Water.” For more information and ticket sales please visit, oswegoplayers.org or call the Players’ box office at 315-343-5138.
“The Arkansaw Bear” features the talents of: Nina King as Tish, Joely Sloan as Star Bright, Lilith Pape as the Mime, Stephanie Johnson as World’s Greatest Dancing Bear, Richard Carpenter as Great Ringmaster, Mallory Gordon as Little Bear, Lori Blackburn as Mother and Adele Anesko Cronk as Aunt Ellen.
“The Arkansaw Bear” is presented by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.