Swimming With the Polar Bears April 20, 2009

4CORNERS ENTERTAINMENT is pleased to announce the world premiere production of SWIMMING WITH THE POLAR BEARS, directed by Jill André. SWIMMING WITH THE POLAR BEARS will play three benefit performances only at Off-Broadway’s Bleecker Street Theatre (45 Bleecker Street). In accordance with Mel’s survival story and his strong dedication to the continued existence of the planet, all profits from this production will be donated to the Climate Project.

Jenny Clad, Executive Director of The Climate Project says, "The Climate Project and Swimming with Polar Bears share a common goal - raising awareness of climate change. Swimming with Polar Bears will shine the spotlight on the urgency of this global issue in its own unique way. We are delighted to be a beneficiary of the production and to share the stage with such a creative endeavor by having one of our TCP presenters on hand to deliver Mr. Gore's slide show message."

Swimming with the Polar Bears is a funny, poignant, and devastatingly personal look at the dangers of global warming. Actor Mel England returns to the autobiographical one-man arena, with director Jill André, to explore the parallels between contemporary life, ancient Eskimo mythology, and the tragic loss of endangered species.

In the tradition of Spaulding Grey, England takes an introspective examination of his battles with extinction – from surviving childhood abuse to overcoming Cancer – as a backdrop for larger questions of how we all can survive on our precious planet. A 20-year AIDS survivor, England struggles against the odds—to understand our own denial, grasp justifications, and ultimately accept responsibility to save oneself.

England takes us on a fantastical journey bringing Polar Bears to life -- with video and images by National Geographic’s Tristan Bayer and original music by Thomas Silcott – and, in the end, we find we are all Swimming with the Polar Bears.

Official Website: http://swimmingwiththepolarbears.com