The World’s Greatest Dancing Bear will return to the Frances Marion Brown Stage this spring. The Oswego Players proudly presents a revival of last year’s smash hit “The Arkansaw Bear” by Aurand Harris. “The Arkansaw Bear” is a moving 45-minute fantasy/drama in which a young girl, Tish must learn to deal with loss and how to let go of someone she loves.
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 World’s Greatest Dancing Bear. The Bear is old, like Tish’s grandfather, and is running away. In trying to help the Bear, Tish begins to understand the meaning of both life and death, which helps her to cope with her own sadness.
“The Arkansaw Bear” is an important work by America’s foremost playwright for young audiences, that 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.
Stephanie Johnson, World’s Greatest Dancing Bear herself believes that’s “It’s in incredible honor to be able to breathe life back into this beloved dancing bear. The talented Arkansas Bear cast works so well together highlighting the joys of Life, combined with the inevitable losses built into the journey as well. I’m thrilled to be able to entertain and comfort others with this performance and pairing it with Shakespeare’s whimsy is sure to provide audiences with access to the full spectrum of emotions. As Shakespeare himself said “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts,” Happy to be playing mine on and off stage.”
Nina King who plays the lead human character of Tish is also “so excited to be returning as Tish in “The Arkansas Bear.” It gives me the opportunity to challenge myself in a more serious role. I love working with Norm and the cast is awesome. I can’t wait to show the audience this wonderful production.”
The cast of the “The Arkansas Bear” features the talents of: Nina King as Tish, Gideon Strong as Star Bright, Olive O’Connor as the Mime, Stephanie Johnson as the World’s Greatest Dancing Bear, Richard Carpenter as Great Ringmaster, Mallory Gordon as Little Bear, Christina Rodgers as Mother and Inez Manor Parker in a special appearance as Aunt Ellen.
Presented with the “The Arkansaw Bear, is one of The Bard’s most popular and widely performed plays, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” “Midsummer” is set in Athens, Greece and consists of numerous subplots that revolve around the marriage of King Theseus and Queen Hippolyta. One involves a conflict among four teenage Athenian lovers. Another follows a group of six amateur actors rehearsing the play they are to perform before the wedding. Both groups find themselves in a forest inhabited by fairies who manipulate them as part of their own domestic intrigue.
Performance dates for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Arkansaw Bear” are Friday evenings, April 25th and May 2nd at 7:30 p.m., with four matinee performances on April 26th, April 27th, May 3rd and May 4th at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets are $17 for adults, $13 for seniors and $12 for students. Tickets for A Midsummer Night’s Dream” & “The Arkansaw Bear” are available for purchase at https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/oswego-players-inc/6782a9f98be0090f6c3a5ccc/.
Tickets can also be purchased by clicking the ticket button on oswegoplayers.org or by calling the theatre’s box office at (315) 343-5138.
This project is made possible through the CNY Arts Grants for Regional Arts and Cultural Engagement regrant program, thanks to a New York State Senate Initiative supported by the NYS Legislature, the Office of the Governor and administered by the New York State Council on the Arts.
“The Arkansaw Bear” is presented by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.
Stephanie Johnson as The World’s Greatest Dancing Bear and Nina King as Tish, discuss the riddle of life. Tickets are $17 for adults, $13 for seniors and $12 for students. Tickets for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” & “The Arkansaw Bear” are available for purchase at https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/oswego-players-inc/6782a9f98be0090f6c3a5ccc/. Tickets can also be purchased by clicking the ticket button on oswegoplayers.org or by calling the theatre’s box office at (315) 343-5138.