OSWEGO – The Oswego Players and Oswego Opera Theater partner to present two children’s productions at the Frances Marion Brown Theater, Barbara Donahue Drive, Oswego. “The Arkansaw Bear” and “Brundibár” begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 5 and 6, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, April 7.
Written by Aurand Harris and directed by Norman Berlin, “The Arkansaw Bear” tells the story of Tish, who is saddened and bewildered at her grandfather’s approaching death and runs to her “special tree.” There, in a world of fantasy provided by her wish upon a star, she meets a 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” is an important work by America’s foremost playwright for young audiences. It 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.
The production 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. It is presented by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.
“Brundibár” by Jewish Czech composer Hans Krása, libretto by Adolf Hoffmeister and directed by Juan LaManna is a poignant and historically significant children’s opera that emerged from the darkest period of human history – the Holocaust. It was performed over 50 times in the Terezín concentration camp located in German-occupied Czechoslovakia.
The simple plot 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 his own performances. The children get help from various animals and local children to 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 features a small ensemble, including 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.
For more information on either of these performances or to purchase tickets, visit https://oswegoplayers.org/ or call the Oswego Players’ box office at 315-343-5138.
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