The Oswego Players and Oswego Opera Theater will be presenting the double bill children’s productions at the Frances Marion Brown Theater, Friday, April 5th at 7:30 PM, Saturday, April 6th at 7:30 Pm, and Sunday, April 7th, at 2:00 PM.
The join production includes “The Arkansaw Bear” by Aurand Harris, directed by Norman Berlin, III and children’s opera “Brundibár” by Jewish Czech composer Hans Krása, libretto by Adolf Hoffmeister, and directed by Juan LaManna and Benjamin Spierman.
The first production presented “The Arkansaw Bear” tells the story of Tish who is saddened and bewildered at her grandfather’s approaching death, runs to her “special tree.” There, in a world of fantasy provided by her wish on a star, she meets the Worlds Greatest Dancing Bear. She is old, like her grandfather, and is running away. In trying to help her, Tish begins to understand the meaning of both life and death, which helps her to cope with her own sadness.
“The Arkansaw Bear” an principal work by America’s foremost playwright for young audiences. The play blends realism and fantasy, pathos and humor. It is delightfully whimsical with music, magic, and dance, and has been enthusiastically applauded by children and family audiences alike.
“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 second act of this co-production is Oswego Opera Theater’s “Brundibár”. “Brundibár” is a poignant and historically significant children’s opera that emerged from the darkest period of human history – the Holocaust. Composed by Hans Krása, Brundibár was performed over 50 times in the Terezín concentration camp located in German-occupied Czechoslovakia.
The simple plot of the opera revolves around two poor siblings, Eloise and Annette, who need to buy milk for their sick mother. They decide to sing in the town square, but they encounter Brundibár, the bullying busker, who drives them away because he wants the square for himself. The children seek help from various animals and local children, they outwit Brundibár, claim their place in the square, and get the needed money.
Brundibár carries profound allegorical significance as it symbolizes the resilience of the human spirit against oppression and injustice. The struggle against Brundibár represents the fight against the forces of fascism during World War II, with the children embodying hope, solidarity, and the power of collective action.
The production will feature a small ensemble, and will feature Annilea Murphy as Eloise, Katie Auler as Annette, Megan Adelman as Brundibár, Helen McDonald as the sparrow, Lexi Prosser as the cat, and Abby Adelman as the dog.
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 is presented by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Tish, the Mime and the Worlds Greatest Dancing Bear watch the joyful magical wishing star. “The Arkansaw Bear is part of double-bill collaboration with the Oswego Opera Company who will present children’s opera “Brundibár. Pictured, from left, are: Nine King, Lilith Pape, Stephanie Johnson and Joely Sloan. 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” is presented by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.