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.