The Arkansaw Bear Author:Aurand Harris "A marvelous, daring play, full of charm and vitality, that makes a reassuring statement about death." (Critic's comment) One set. Modern and animal costumes. 6 actors: Little Girl, Dancing Bear, Mime, Star Bright, Ringmaster, Little Bear (Flexible men or women. Approximate running time: 50 minutes. Saddened and bewildered at her grandfather's... more » approaching death, Tish runs to her "special tree." There, in a world of fantasy, provided by her wishing on a Star, she meets the World's Greatest Dancing Bear. He is old, like her grandfather, and is running away -- from death. 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 play blends realism and fantasy, pathos and humor. Delightfully theatrical, with music, magic and dance, enthusiastically applauded by children's audiences -- and family audiences. The Arkansaw Bear is an important work by America's foremost playwright for young audiences, sparkling with entertainment and, at the same time, dramatizing, with poignancy, a universal truth.« less