(July 15, 2011) – Two Valley Players, an organization with roots deep in the Big Bear
'Clarence Darrow' will play at the amphitheater in Big Bear Lake.
Valley, is this August launching what will become an annual summer theater festival on the amphitheater stage at the Discovery Center on North Shore Drive in Fawnskin, CA, on the banks of beautiful Big Bear Lake.
Two Valley Players is partnering with The National Forest Association to produce the festival, with all proceeds going to the nonprofit organization that works to save the resources of the San Bernardino National Forest.
This inaugural year, Two Valley Players will produce an historical comedy/drama production of “Clarence Darrow.”
The show is an intriguing, whirlwind journey through Americana that cannot be missed no matter what age. It portrays the life and times of lawyer Clarence Darrow as he reminisces about his long and renowned career, touching on many of his famous trials, including the “Monkey Trial,” and his leading the legal charge to get the working man union wages and an eight-hour workday.
It shows, however, that despite his tireless efforts to support the common man and the labor movement, when the Los Angeles Times building was bombed, labor betrayed their giant and put him on trial.
In the show, the character of Darrow reviews much of America’s legal history with salty humor, courtroom gusto and emotional relish. His private life and many contemporary events, including labor conditions, are woven into this story of a man who accepted unpopular cases and defended unpopular causes.
This champion of dissenters and underdogs was also a writer and lecturer and he conjures up many famous people of his life and times.
The San Bernardino National Forest is within recreational driving distance of 10 percent of the nation’s population. With more than 25 million people closer than four hours, the Forest has more visitors every year than both Yellowstone and Yosemite combined. These are the most populated and recreated in 671,000 acres in the National Forest entire system.
Over the past 30 years, the use of national forests has increased 700 percent but funding for the San Bernardino National Forest has declined—almost half within the last few years. The National Forest Association is a nonprofit organization that works to bridge that gap with conservation programs and education that promotes stewardship that adds value to the visitor experience. The goal is to help visitors value the forest itself.
It takes the efforts of more than 1,000 trained volunteers plus the staff of both the National Forest Association and the Forest Service to serve the needs of visitors. The Forest Association is at the heart of making sure our love affair with the forest doesn’t mean we love it to death. Our recreation programs teach respect for the forest and the forest environment, stewardship, and deliver hands-on fun.
The Big Bear Discovery Center connects the forest and people through its visitor center facilities and activities. Get permits, passes, maps, interpretive tours and programs here—not to mention shopping at the Adventure Outpost or a snack at the Bill Knicks Café.
The Big Bear Discovery Center attracts more than 160,000 visitors every year with exhibits, weekly programs, eco-tours, and special events. Another 80,000 people are provided with information and help by telephone. The Big Bear Discovery Center Amphitheater hosts outdoor concerts, theater productions, and private cultural and corporate events as well as nighttime interpretive programs.
“Clarence Darrow” will be preformed four times, each show is at 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 12
Saturday, Aug. 13
Friday, Aug. 19
Saturday, Aug. 20.
Admission is free to ages 5 and under; ages 6-13 tickets are $5; ages 14 and above tickets are $10.
For more information and reservation, call 805-807-9939 or visit: www.bigbearsummertheatrefestival.com.
The Big Bear Discovery Center is at 40971 North Shore Drive, Highway 38, in Fawnskin, California.