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Oswego Players and the Oswego Opera Theater are teaming up to bring together a special double-feature of magical realism, fairytale drama, and talking animals.
"The Arkansaw Bear" and "Brundibar" will be presented together side-by-side thanks to a partnership between the city's two theatrical organizations.
"The Oswego Players has a long history of camaraderie with Oswego Opera Theater," says Players President Norman Berlin III. "We have both been very generous to one another with sharing resources over the years, so to combine forces and create a new kind of event together felt like the next natural step in our relationship."
The first of two shows to be presented is the Oswego Player's offering: "The Arkansaw Bear." This children's classic by Aurand Harris is the story of a young girl upset over her grandfather's illness. As she runs to her 'special tree' (a Twelve-foot tall set piece of which has been expertly constructed by scenic designer Adele Cronk), she meets the World's Greatest Dancing Bear. This bear is elderly, like her grandfather, and on the run from the cryptic Great Ringmaster. The girl and the bear become fast friends, and help one another to understand the nature of life and death. But between such heavy morals, there is plenty of dance, song, and card tricks. "The Arkansaw Bear" is directed by Norman Berlin III.
The second show of this double-billing comes from the Oswego Opera Theater, Hans Krása's children's opera "Brundibár." Directed by Juan La Manna, it's the tale of two siblings who sing the town square in order to buy milk for their sick mother. There, the titular character, a competing busker, chases away the sibling so he may have the square for himself. The children recruit the aid of a variety of animals to help thwart this bully. "Brundibár" was performed over 50 times in the Terezín concentration camp located in German-occupied Czechoslovakia and is considered to be of great historical importance.
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.
