A Note from Christopher Michael Richardson, Director of Winnie the Pooh

100 years after Winnie-the-Pooh first appeared, this Bear with “very little brain” continues to remind us about the simple power of friendship, honesty, and a little bit of imagination. As Pooh teaches us how to be a loyal friend over the course of the play, Piglet learns to have a little more pluck, Rabbit learns to apologize for leading his friends astray, and Eeyore learns that sunshine lies on the other side of every rain cloud. After all, we can’t make it alone. We need each other.

Our different perspectives gift us with a fuller appreciation of the wonder of life.

These stories remind us that true friends help us become the best version of ourselves and root for us along the way. They Sing Woe when we’re down and Sing Ho in celebration of our triumphs!

Even though this may seem like a lesson for the youngest among us, these characters can still teach us no matter our age! 100 years later, A.A. Milne’s stories and E.H. Shepard’s illustrations continue to remind us that we can only be our best selves together.

--Christopher Michael Richardson

Christopher Michael Richardson is an actor, director, and teaching artist from Richmond, VA. He most recently made his West-End debut as one of the alternates for Usher in A Strange Loop at The Barbican and he’s currently pursuing his MFA in Directing at Northwestern University. He is the co- creator/composer of two interactive digital series with Arts on the Horizon (Jingle Journey and Everyday Magic) and his other directing credits include: Everybody (American University), A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Turn of the Screw (NextStop Theatre Company), and A Raisin in the Sun (National Players Tour 72.) www.cmrich.me IG @chrismichrich