The Mischief Makers (Fall 2008)

The Mischief Makersby Lowell Swortzell
directed by Lisa Eckley Cocchiarale

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 5, 7, 9 & 16 2008

WIDENER UNIVERSITY'S ALUMNI AUDITORIUM

UPDATE: This show was an uproarious success with our school audiences. In fact, the cheering was so loud in the last scene that we actors could hardly hear a thing! Kudos to our fabulous audiences from Stetser, Main Street School, and Widener Partnership Charter School. Altogether, $170 was raised for Bernardine Center Food Pantry

SYNOPSIS:
This delightful multicultural play introduces young audiences to Anansi the Spider from Africa, Reynard the Fox from Europe, and the Native American trickster Raven. As the play opens, the three are found perched together sharing a totem pole, unknowingly brought together by Nyame, the god of the skies. As the play continues, the three argue over who among them is the best trickster. They work together to play out stories that best demonstrate their finest acts of trickery. In the end, Nyame returns, admitting that he brought the characters together in the hope that they would repent and reform their behavior; instead, he has come to realize the value of their deeds and the laughter they bring to the world. Rich with instructional opportunities, the play provides a wonderful exploration into the trickster tales found across diverse cultures and mythologies.

PHOTOS-The Arkansaw Bear

The Arkansaw Bear (Spring 2008)

A classic tale of a little girl struggling to accept her grandfather's death. Young Tish runs into the woods and meets a dancing bear, who resolves to teach his dances to a little bear so a part of him will keep living on. The little girl learns an important lesson -- that her grandfather has left a little of himself with her. A wonderful way for children to learn about loss, grieving, and remembering the ones we love.

The Arkansaw Bear was named a "Distinguished Play" by the American Alliance for Theatre & Education

PERFORMANCE DATES: Sunday April 20 & 27 @ 2:30 pm

SCHOOL-DAY MATINEES (reservation only): April 15 & 16 @ 9:30 am

ADMISSION: at least one non-perishable food item per person. Donations will benefit hunger programs in the city of Chester

CONTACT US: ljcocchiarale@mail.widener.edu

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT:
Aurand Harris is one of the most produced playwrights for young audiences in the United States, with more than 30 published plays to his credit. Before his death in 1996, he was the first children's playwright to receive a Creative Writing Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the first to win the Charolette Chorpenning Cup from the American Theatre Association. His widely revered plays include The Arkansaw Bear, Androcles and the Lion, Rags to Riches, The Tobey Show, Monkey Magic, Pinballs, and The Orphan Train.

ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE:
TISH ..................................... Heather Astorga
STARBRIGHT ............................... Amy Faith Naylor
THE WORLD'S GREATEST DANCING BEAR ........ Stephen Lindsay
MIMES .................................... Meghan Barrett & Lisa Drinnan
THE RINGMASTER ........................... Jen Pinel
LITTLE BEAR .............................. Dionne Dean-Dones
DIRECTOR ................................. Lisa Eckley Cocchiarale
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR ....................... Daniel Castagna