nj arts maven: "Discovering Antarctica": See the Award-Winning Play Performed by Ireland's Aidan Dooley

Discovering Antarctica: Heroic Tales of Shackleton, Crean & Scott

WHEN: Three Performances: Friday, March 18, at 8 pm, Saturday, March 19, at 2pm, and Sunday, March 20, at 2pm
WHERE: Bickford Theatre, 6 Normandy Hgts. Rd., Morristown
TICKETS: General Admission is $40.00. Member tickets are $35.00. Become a Morris Museum Member today.

Tom Crean, the intrepid Antarctic explorer and one of Ireland’s unsung heroes, is brought to life in this dramatic and humorous solo performance by Aidan Dooley. Aidan Dooley makes a long-awaited return to the United States to tour his critically acclaimed play making his first stop at the Bickford Theatre!

Critical Praise for Discovering Antarctica

“An unparalleled portrayal. It isn’t the destination; it is the journey. Mr. Dooley’s effort so vividly embodies that maxim you almost believe it." – The New York Times

Best Solo Performance Award Winner

New York International Fringe Festival

Tickets

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Bickford Theatre COVID Guidelines

All patrons 12 years and older must provide proof of full vaccination, currently 2 shots of either Pfizer or Moderna, or one of Johnson and Johnson, and corresponding ID. All sales are final. All patrons are required to wear a face mask for the entire time they are inside at the Morris Museum and Bickford Theatre. For assistance, call the box office at 973-971-3706.

About the Performance

Set during The Golden Age of Antarctic Exploration (1901-1916), discover the riveting stories of the only man who served standing alongside Scott and Shackleton in three of the most daring and challenging expeditions to the great white continent including Shackleton’s ill-fated Endurance expedition.

Crean’s story is a testament of human fortitude against all the elements of Antarctica. The play takes you to the edge of your seat … and beyond, as it reenacts many of the era’s heroic endeavors.

This includes Crean’s infamous 36-mile solitary trek to base camp during the Terra Nova expedition to rescue his comrades—described by Antarctic historians as “the finest feat of individual heroism from the entire age of exploration”.

The show has won critical acclaim, multiple awards and continues to enjoy sell-out performances and standing ovations. Having toured globally, including a stop in Antarctica, nearly a quarter of a million people have been captivated by the show and the heroic tales it brings to life.

Stowed Away: A Traveling Philographist and his Arctic Uke

Extend your Arctic adventure by visiting the Morris Museum’s current exhibition, Stowed Away: A Traveling Philographist and his Arctic Uke. This exhibition explores the story behind the ukulele that “stowed-away” on Admiral Richard Byrd’s North-Pole flight of 1926. The ukulele belonged to Richard Konter, a naval veteran of the Spanish-American War and World War I, who participated in Byrd expeditions to both the Arctic and Antarctic. For years after the flight, Konter used this instrument as an unusual “autograph book,” collecting the signatures of more than 150 individuals—from royalty to presidents, explorers to generals, scientists to politicians—who added their names to this unique artifact of Arctic history.

Support for this exhibition is provided by the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation.