The Bear

New Antiquities Theatre Company Opens The Bear

The Bear, a comedy by Anton Chekhov, is being produced by New Antiquities Theatre
Company on February 23 and 24 and March 2 and 3 at 7:30 PM at the Western Heritage
Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame. Tickets are $10 general admission and $7
students and seniors. Directed by Artistic Director Nathan R. Miles and featuring community
performers, The Bear is a hilarious examination of relationships and the battle of the sexes.

In the play, a landowner comes to claim a debt from a young widow who, out of grief,
refuses to see him in an attempt to prove to her faithless dead husband that women are more
loyal than men. Their quarrel escalates into a duel that so impresses the landowner that he falls
madly in love and proposes in this romantic comedy. Tyler Bunch plays Smirnov the landowner,
while Executive Director Marissa Davis plays Popov the bereaved widow. Rounding out the cast
is HHS Art teacher John McMillan and NMJC student Corben Pettigrew sharing the role of
Luka the servant. While physical comedy plays a part, much of the humor in the play comes
from the characters’ lack of self-knowledge and awareness. Both Smirnov and Popov are
examples of alazons, figures made ridiculous by pretending to be more than they actually are.

“The play is absolutely hilarious. It's a beautiful mix of physical, psychological, and
emotional comedy. You'll have an amazing night if you have half as much fun watching as we
did putting it together,” said company member John McMillan who is making his New
Antiquities debut with this production.

While written in 1888, the current production eschews a historical time period for a more
contemporary one. The theater at the Western Heritage Museum has been transformed into the
drawing room on Popov’s estate, providing just enough context for the audience to form an
impression while still allowing them to use their imaginations to fill in the gaps.

The Bear by Anton Chekhov, directed by Nathan R. Miles. Performances Feb. 23, 24, and
Mar. 2 and 3 at 7:30 PM at the Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of
Fame. Tickets: $10 general admission, $7 students and seniors. Tickets available at the door the
evening of performances. Cast includes: Tyler Bunch, Marissa Davis, John McMillan (Feb. 23
and 24) and Corben Pettigrew (Mar. 2 and 3). Taylor Marler is the Stage Manager for the
production.