THE BEAR, EVERY TIME To Play Soho Playhouse As Part Of Lighthouse Series

The Bear, Every Time, Carrie Keating's award-winning surreal short play The Bear Every Time will play three performances at SoHo Playhouse on May 15, 16, and 17 as part of the first round of the 2026 Lighthouse Series.

Directed by Alyson Schacherer (The Pavilion, The Barrow Group; The Antipodes, ARC), starring Joshua Harto (The Dark Knight, Netflix's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom), and Keating herself, the production runs Friday, May 15 at 7:00 PM, Saturday, May 16 at 7:00 PM, and Sunday, May 17 at 5:00 PM at SoHo Playhouse, 15 Vandam Street. Originally conceived and developed by artist collective ToastCo., Henry Evans (Atlas Circus Company) will serve as Magic Consultant and Toast Co. Producer alongside Jack Saleeby.

During its development as a short play, The Bear, Every Time first premiered at the Queen's Short Play Festival, where it was named Best Play. It made its Manhattan premiere in April 2025 at the A.R.T./NY Mezzanine Theatre as part of Goldilocks Has Questions, a sold-out evening of short works from ToastCo. and RE/VENUE NYC. The play has since been selected for readings through the Genesius Theatre Reading Series and the 2025 Equity Library Reading Series as well as The A Chronicles and MoCA/CT.

When one woman is forced to choose between being trapped in the woods with a man or bear, her answer's a no-brainer - The Bear, Every Time. However, when a hypothetical question becomes a reality, the woman and her new companion in the woods are forced to grapple with her decision and find themselves left with more questions. Inspired by the viral Tik Tok trend, this surrealist dark comedy picks up where the internet left off and asks audiences, in a world full of danger, how does one find safety.

Ciaran Byrne (Irish Repertory Theater) describes the play as “a compelling, magical, wholly original, and extraordinary accomplishment in playwriting” with Tony Nominated actress and Drama Desk winner Catherine Cox Evans (Baby, Footloose, Oh Coward!) adding “The Bear, Every Time is hysterical, topical, and moving. I look forward to seeing where Keating takes it, I want more time in the woods!” Described by actress Amy Hargreaves (13 Reasons Why, Homeland) as “a smart, charming and incredibly timely walk in the forest”, ToastCo. is thrilled to be partnering with Soho Playhouse to bring this play to New York audiences.

Carrie Keating (Playwright, The Woman) is a NYC based artist whose work spans theatre, TV/Film, concert dance, and circus. Commissioned by RizzleApp, her web series Connect2U garnered over 1 million views and was nominated for best vertical series in the IAWTV awards. Website: https://www.carriekeating.com/

The Bear, Every Time

Written by: Carrie Keating

Directed by: Alyson Schacherer

Cast: Joshua Harto, Carrie Keating

Produced by: ToastCo. as part of the SoHo Playhouse Lighthouse Series

Dates and Times:

• Friday, May 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM
• Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM
• Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Venue: SoHo Playhouse, 15 Vandam Street, New York, NY 10013