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Theatre Production: The Bear
Thursday, February 3, 2022
8:00 p.m.
Mill Theatre
Contact Information
Elmhurst University Mill Theatre
mill@elmhurst.edu
By Anton Chekhov
Directed by Michael Manocchio
Adapted and Devised by the Ensemble
Yelena Popova has locked herself away to spend the rest of her days grieving the untimely death of her husband. Her mourning, however, is interrupted when her late husband’s debts bring the desperate collector Grigory Smirnoff to her door. He demands payment immediately to save his estate from foreclosure, but Popova must wait two days for her steward to arrive before she will have the funds. This seemingly simple disagreement spirals into an explosive debate when Smirnoff refuses to leave until he is paid, and can eventually only be resolved through violence. Popova is perfectly ready to duel it out with pistols—just as soon as Smirnoff teaches her how to use them.
This hilarious and bizarre battle of the sexes from one of history’s great dramatists is brought into the 21st century with a new production that asks if we can ever escape our seemingly endless day-to-day performances—of grief, of etiquette, and of gender.
We remain pleased to welcome audiences back into our theatre space. For the health and safety of all members of the audience and of the performers, we ask everyone to wear masks. At present, we plan that the small cast of vaccinated actors will be unmasked on stage.
Tickets may be purchased directly online through our box office marketplace link. Tickets may also be reserved by contacting our box office at mill@elmhurst.edu or (630) 617-3005.
To provide opportunities for audience distancing, as well as to minimize congestion at the box office in the lobby, seating will not be reserved but will be general admission.
The Bear will be presented without intermission.
Performances are:
- Thursday–Saturday, Feb. 3–5, 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday, Feb. 6, 2:00 p.m.
- Thursday–Saturday, Feb. 10–12, 8:00 p.m.