Cast: 1w., 5 either gender. Saddened and bewildered at her grandfather's approaching death, Tish runs to her "special tree." There, in a world of fantasy provided by her wish 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. It is delightfully theatrical, with music, magic and dance, and 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 while also dramatizing, with poignancy, a universal truth. One set. Modern and animal costumes. Approximate running time: 50 minutes.