MS plays “Arkansaw Bear” and “The Lottery” draw crowds

Who said movie theaters hold a monopoly on the double feature?

This year’s middle schoolers must have had so much fun producing a fall play that they decided to do two separate, albeit short, shows.

First up at this weekend’s performances was “The Arkansaw Bear,” a 50-odd minute show melding fantasy and reality and revolving around the impending death of main character Little Girl’s grandfather.

Little Girl encounters Dancing Bear at the base of her favorite tree and finds that Dancing Bear is old, like Little Girl’s grandfather, and seeks a way, like Little Girl, to keep death at bay. The story explores serious themes while maintaining both a sense of humor and charm, as well as a deep wisdom.

Then, after an intermission, students performed Brainerd Duffield’s  “The Lottery.” It was a short show with a twist — and another important lesson.

Both shows were directed by Greenhills drama teacher Emily Wilson-Tobin.