Grace and Glorie actor performs comedy, ‘The Bear’

By Laureen F. Guenther Times Contributor

Sarah Robinson, an emerging actor who performed the role of Gloria in Rosebud Theatre’s Grace and Glorie this spring, is producing and performing a short comedy called ‘The Bear’, to be played from July 14-16 in Rosebud.

‘The Bear’, written by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov in the 1800s, is Robinson’s final project as a student at Rosebud School of the Arts. She’s producing a translation of the comedy by Laurence Senelick.

“Popova, a young widow, is mourning the loss of her recently deceased husband when one of his creditors shows up to collect his loan,” said Robinson in an email. “Smirnov needs the money now. Popova doesn’t have the money now.”

Popova and Smirnov decide to settle their conflict with a duel of pistols – except that Popova doesn’t know how to shoot.

Robinson said the comedy is a “a humorous whirlwind of emotions, a comedic look at love.”

While Robinson plays the role of Popova, Smirnov will be played by Mike Thiessen and the faithful servant Luka will be played by Maki Van Dyke. Heids MacDonald is directing the show.

When Robinson was choosing a script for her final project, she thought she needed a piece that was big and intense, something that would address the issues of our time. 

“It was a lot of pressure and not a lot of fun,” she said, before adding that her younger sister then challenged her that “maybe you don’t have to do something big and deep. Maybe you can just do something small and fun, something that will bring you joy.”

“In that moment, I felt freed,” said Robinson. After a couple of years that have been challenging for many people, “The thought of doing something fun gave me hope.”

Robinson thought of ‘The Bear’, which she’d studied in Art History class. 

“It made me laugh then and it makes me laugh now,” she said. “I decided that was reason enough to do it.”

When people come to see her production of ‘The Bear’, Robinson hopes it will bring them the same joy.

“My hope is that patrons who see ‘The Bear’ will have an experience of fun, joy and play, that they will be able to set aside their cares and worries for 30 minutes and just laugh,” said Robinson. “I hope each person comes away looking at themselves, and others, with more grace and that their belief in the power of love is renewed.”

‘The Bear’ will open for three days in Rosebud’s Akokiniskway Gallery on July 14 at 8 p.m., July 15 at 11 p.m. and a final performance on July 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased online (thebearfinalproject.eventbrite.com).