Skip to main content

The Hunter and The Bear

World Premiere

  • Written by PigPen Theatre Co.
  • Directed by Stuart Carden and PigPen Theatre Co.

Cast in flickering campfire light, this combination frontier ghost-story and modern-day parable unfolds in PigPen Theatre Co.'s signature style: using resourceful staging, captivating storytelling, ingenious shadow puppetry and award-winning folk music to fuel a headlong plunge into the darkest part of the woods.

Synopsis

The Hunter and the Bear

The creators of WT’s smash-hit production of The Old Man and The Old Moon bring their considerable talents to this original tale! In The Hunter and The Bear, the critically acclaimed PigPen Theatre Co. tell the haunting story of an imaginative young boy and his father, the pragmatic hunter tasked with protecting their isolated town. When his son disappears in the woods, the search to recover him will lead the hunter, and eventually the entire community, through a landscape teeming with dark secrets and supernatural threats.

Cast

Alex Falberg

Prescott

Ben Ferguson

Tobias

Curtis Gillen

Pete

Ryan Melia

Elliot

Matt Nuernberger

Bailey

Arya Shahi

John

Dan Weschler

Lewis

Creative

PigPen Theatre Co.

Writers/Directors

Stuart Carden

Director

Collette Pollard

Scenic Designer

Lydia Fine

Costume/Puppetry Designer

Bart Cortright

Lighting Designer

Mikhail Fiksel

Sound Designer

David Castellanos

Stage Manager

Janelle Boudreau

Assistant Stage Manager

Reviews

3 1/2 Stars! Strikingly intense [as it] cleverly races forward.

Chicago Tribune

Riveting, compelling [and] highly original.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Four Stars! You shouldn’t miss the chance to see this…musical ghost story.

Time Out Chicago

Everything theatre should be!  Masterful at storytelling, smart and innovative.

PerformInk

Four Stars! Simple, superb storytelling [by an] impressive group of actors, writers, puppeteers and multi-instrumentalists.

Daily Herald

Loved the integration of music with storytelling. I felt immersed in the magic!

WT Audience Member

Must-see theatre in every way. The audience was almost too enthralled to breathe!

Splash Magazine

Exciting, suspenseful and often heartfelt. One of the best theatre productions of 2016!

Buzz News Chicago

Events

Sunday Spotlight

Sunday, January 15, 2017 after the matinee performance
Are you curious about the world that surrounds your favorite plays? Sunday Spotlight offers access to the finest speakers, scholars and cultural leaders. This one-hour event extends the conversation on our stages by featuring an expert in an area connected to the play. Seating is limited. RSVP is required. Save the date!

The Making of... The Hunter and The Bear

Monday, January 9, 2017 at 6:30pm
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of our productions? For each production, we will offer insight into a different aspect of creating theatre. Enjoy a short and lively presentation by our actors, designers or other experts who will walk you through the process of preparing for and executing a production. Seating is limited. RSVP is required. Save the date!

Post-Show Conversation: The Word

Join us after every Tuesday evening performance (excluding previews and any extension weeks) for a 15-minute discussion of the play, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.

Post-Show Conversation: The Artist

Join us after every Wednesday evening performance (excluding previews and any extension weeks) for a 15-minute talk-back featuring actors from the production, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.

Pre-Show Conversation: Up Close

Join us at 6:45pm before every Thursday evening performance (excluding previews and any extension weeks) for a 15-minute primer on the context and content of the play, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.

Explore More