Listen to the WBUR Interview on All Things Considered
Download Greenfield Recorder Interview Read Springfield Republican Feature
Listen: “The Waggle Dance” “Dizzy Bee Song” or “Joyful Bee Song”
About
Farmer James has lost his bees, there’s only gruel to eat and now the townspeople (the audience) have arrived to protest, chanting “There’s no good food, we’re in a bad mood.” To Bee tells James’ comic, tragic and ultimately hopeful story – complete with puppetry, clowning, dance, live music and lots of audience participation. Piti created the show to raise awareness about the honeybee’s plight and gives children and adults tools for helping bees thrive in their communities.
To Bee is designed for two performers and one musician. This simplicity will facilitate our vision of making the show available to other performance teams in other cities – nationally and internationally. The show is also available in french following the Swiss premiere in November, 2012.
“I really enjoyed the play “To Bee or Not to Bee.” It was an interesting blend of environmental education in a format that worked well for a very wide age range. A day care provider with young children told me “It was a great topic, and the music, dance and puppets captivated my young children. Some of them have a very hard time sitting still, but they were focused the entire time.” I especially enjoyed the music. The keyboard player was great and really added to the show. One of her songs is still stuck in my head three days later.” – Linda Hicks, Children’s Librarian, Montague MA
The Music
Northampton, MA singer/songwriter Carrie Ferguson wrote the music and collaborated with Jonathan Mirin on lyrics for the production. She plays the Piano Lady in the show.
10% For the Bees Campaign
One of the major challenges facing honeybees (and many other species around the globe) is loss of habitat. In the words of local beekeeper Dan Conlon of Warm Colors Apiary, honeybees in many parts of the U.S. simply “don’t have enough to eat.” Our 10% For the Bees Campaign will encourage audiences to let nature plant 10% of their lawn – or plant a bee garden. Organic seeds for bee gardens (donated by High Mowing Seeds and Horizon Herbs) will be distributed after every show.
For Schools
” . . . a great little show packed with lots of information. It had several catchy tunes that students sang for the rest of the day.” – Marie Hershkovitz, 4th/5th grade teacher, Bridge Street School
We are currently booking elementary school performances of To Bee or Not To Bee.
Schools can decide if they would like us to work with their classes of 3rd – 5th graders beforehand in preparation to be part of the performance.
A post-show information sheet with follow-up activities is available to help teachers integrate the show into the curriculum.
Previous school venues include: Bridge Street School, Northampton; Colrain Central School; Lt. Clayre P. Sullivan School, Holyoke; R.K. Finn Ryan Road School, Florence (includes residency funded by the Xeric Foundation)
Booking Info
Production Requirements: Minimum 20′ wide by 15′ deep indoor or outdoor playing space – raised stage not required.
Length: 1 hour plus optional pre-performance actor preparation workshop.
Inquiries: booking@ptco.org
2013 Tour Venues
- Northampton Center for the Arts, Northampton MA: Saturday, February 16 at 2 pm
- Amazing Things Arts Center Framingham MA: Saturday, February 23 at 2:30 pm
- SYRUP: One Sweet Performing Arts Festival, Memorial Hall, Shelburne Falls, MA: Saturday, March 9, Afternoon for family audiences begins at 2 pm
- Bethel, Maine: March 29
- Greenfield, MA: Academy of Early Learning, Wed., April 10 at 9:30 am
- Warwick, MA: Warwick Town Hall, Tues., April 16 at 1 pm
- Amherst Sustainability Festival, MA: Amherst Town Common, Sat., April 27 at 10 am
- Cambridge River Festival, MA: Children and Family Stage on the Charles River near Harvard Square, Sat., June 1 at noon
- Neuchâtel, SWITZERLAND: Jardin Botanique, Saturday June 15 at 2 pm and 4:30 pm
THANK YOU SPONSORS!
ANGELS
DIRECTORS
Franklin Community Cooperative
Greenfield Co-operative Bank
Greening Greenfield
Hope and Olive Restaurant
Northeast Solar Design
ACTORS
Better World Auto Club
Bicycle World, Inc.
Follow the Honey
High Mowing Seeds
Honey Pacifica
Horizon Herbs
South River Miso Company
Trolley Stop Antiques and Collectibles
Warm Colors Apiary
THANK YOU FUNDERS!
The Art Angels
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
The Amherst, Buckland, Colrain and Montague Cultural Councils*
The Xeric Foundation
*This program is supported in part by grants from the Amherst, Buckland, Colrain and Montague Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
THANK YOU DONORS!
Kippy Dewey, David Fersh, Susan Kooperstein, Steven Mirin and Margaret McKenna, Jim and Rhoda McManus, Craig Miller, Barry and Karen Oshry, our community, Daniel Stuart, Pamela Swift, Stefan Topolski, M.D.
