Blockbuster Bear Country Returns to ASF for Limited Run, Closes 1/23

Bear Country, the highest attended and biggest selling play in the 25 year history of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival's Octagon stage will return to ASF for a limited engagement and will close on January 23. This Silver Anniversary encore production will take place on a reconceived set in ASF's 750-seat Festival Theatre.

Tickets start at $30 and are available at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival box office, on line at www.asf.net or by phone at 1.800.841.4273. ASF is located at 1 Festival Drive in the heart of Montgomery's beautiful Blount Cultural Park.

Written by Michael Vigilant, Bear Country follows the rags to riches story of legendary University of Alabama football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. At the time of his retirement in 1982, Bryant had won more games than any coach in college football history. During his fascinating life Bryant wrestled a bear as a teen, single-handedly beat the arch rival Tennessee Volunteers while playing on a broken leg and won a landmark federal court case in which he was accused of illegal wagering. Bryant was also a national celebrity during his coaching years. His friends included Hollywood stars, captains of industry and American presidents.

At its world premiere in 2009, Bear Country ran for six weeks at 98% capacity. The show attracted patrons from 21 states including Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.

Montgomery Living declared that Bear Country is "amazing entertainment." BamaMag.com called the show "outstanding entertainment." The Birmingham News raved that Rodney Clark's performance as Coach Bryant is "remarkable."

Clark will be reprising his role for the ASF encore. Joining him in the four person cast will be William Peden, James Bowen and Christopher Burns. Peden performed in the Birmingham tour production in 2009. Bowen last performed at ASF in the hit shows A Christmas Carol: The Musical, Rocket City and Nobody. Burns is making his ASF debut. In addition to Broadway and London play credits, Burns resume includes the television shows Law & Order, Rescue Me and Rubicon

Tim Rhoze, who directed the Bear Country world premiere at ASF and the Birmingham tour, returns to direct the encore. Rounding out the artistic team are Katherine Ross (set), Elizabeth Novak (costumes), Thomas Rodman (lights) and Richelle Thompson (sound). Melissa Van Sol will stage manage the production.

In addition to Bear Country, Vigilant is the author of a dozen plays and musicals published by Samuel French, Contemporary Drama Service and Pioneer Drama Service. He is also the chief operating officer of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.

The Alabama Shakespeare Festival is among the largest Shakespeare theatres in the world. Designated as The State Theatre of Alabama, ASF has been located in Montgomery since 1985 when it moved from Anniston as a result of Mr. and Mrs. Wynton M. Blount's gift of a performing arts complex set in the 250-acre Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park. This program/project has been made possible by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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