Emerson Stage NewFest: ’16 Winters, or the Bear’s Tale’

Mary Elizabeth Hamilton’s 16 Winters, or The Bear’s Tale, directed by Aneesha Kudtarkar, takes place during the 16-year gap between acts one and two of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. After being condemned by her husband for adultery, Her escapes to a small cottage in Bohemia, where her attendant, Pauly, cares for her. With nothing to do and little company, the two women do their best to survive the tedium, while the king laments his actions and starts an aging rock band. Meanwhile, their abandoned child, P., takes up with some bohemian artists and rebels against the patriarchy… while also falling in love with one of its better-looking representatives.

Full of love, jealousy, mistaken identity and male privilege gone wrong, 16 Winters explores the effects of reimagining social constructs, and asks whether it is truly possible to create something new in the wake of repression.

As part of the annual New Works Festival , Emerson Stage produces a workshop version of a new play by a professional playwright, directed by a guest director who already has a working relationship with the playwright and play. The guest playwright and guest director pair work closely with students in our undergraduate program who will serve as actors, designers, stage managers, dramaturgs, related assistants, observers, and other production roles.