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Exit, Pursued by a Bear

By Lauren Gunderson

A dark revenge comedy

August 16 – September 8, 2024

Thursday-Saturday @ 8pm
Saturday-Sunday @ 2pm

Directed by Kira Blaskovich

After years of abuse, Nan is finally ready to teach her abusive husband Kyle a lesson. With some assistance by her longtime best friend Simon (acting as her emotional, and actual, cheerleader) and an optimistic stripper named Sweetheart, Nan wants to make Kyle understand what he’s done is wrong before taking her final revenge. They hatch a plan inspired by Shakespeare’s immortal stage direction in The Winter’s Tale: “Exit, pursued by a bear.” With a flair for theatrics, the group tapes a drunk Kyle to a chair and reenact scenes from the couple’s painful past. In the piece de resistance, they plan to cover the room in meat and honey so Kyle will be mauled by a bear.

Through this night of emotional trials and ridiculous theatrics, Nan and Kyle are both freed from their past in this dark and smart revenge comedy.

Subtitled as “A Revenge Comedy,” Gunderson delivers nothing less, as the fast paced action screams towards Kyle’s fate. As the laughs roll, Gunderson cleverly confronts the issue of domestic abuse but at the same time walks the fine line between painful tragedy and unseemly comedy by examining multiple perspectives of those involved, each flawed, contradictory, and human.

Exit, Pursued by a Bear is the first of three plays in the author’s “Shakespeare Cycle”, a series of contemporary comedies based on Shakespeare’s plays. Other plays in the series include Toil and Trouble and The Taming.

As of July 2022


CORONADO PLAYHOUSE COVID-19 POLICY FOR PATRONS

In alignment with the State of California, which has removed mask and vaccine requirements for indoor events, Coronado Playhouse will not require patrons to provide proof of vaccination or to wear masks while attending shows or events. However, we strongly recommend mask-wearing while at the Playhouse.

If you are feeling sick or are exhibiting any COVID-19-like symptoms, or if you have been exposed to COVID-19, we recommend you stay home and contact our box office to reschedule your tickets. They can be reached at (619) 435-4856 or boxoffice@coronadoplayhouse.com

This policy is subject to change if new public health guidance is received from federal, state, or local authorities.

Thank you again for supporting Coronado Playhouse!

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Exit, Pursued by a Bear in the news

“The dark humor is as thick as the Georgia accents.” – San Diego Jewish World

“…charming and fortifying…” – San Diego Jewish World

“Exit, Pursued by a Bear demonstrates that sometimes, through honest introspection we can create a new, more positive trajectory in our lives.” – San Diego Jewish World

Bear is raw and hilarious.” – American Theatre Magazine

“If the Coen Brothers decided to set a feminist revenge tale in Atlanta and sprinkle it with Dixie Chicks pixie dust, it might look something like Exit, Pursued by a Bear, a raucous comedy of friendship, domestic abuse, and performance-as-catharsis.” – ArtsCritic Atlanta

“Funny-as-hell.” – TheatreJones.com

“Gunderson is one of the most creative and entertaining playwrights in America.” – Dallas Morning News

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Contact Us:

1835 Strand Way, Coronado CA 92118-3005

Email: boxoffice@coronadoplayhouse.com

Phone: (619) 435-4856

Fax: ‭(619) 435-2866‬

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