The Oswego Players are on the lookout for budding playwrights eager to see their creations brought to life on stage. The Donald J. McCann Memorial One-Act Playwriting Contest, dedicated to spotlighting local talent, is now accepting submissions. President Norman Berlin III urges, "If you've ever felt the urge to write a play, now's the time to take that leap and submit your work!" Anyone interested in submitting an original One-Act Play script for the 2024 contest should contact Osweplay@yahoo.com for a complete set of rules and guidelines. All submissions for this year’s contest must be received by June 15th and sent either electronically to osweplay@yahoo.com or through the mail, Playwriting Contest, P.O. Box 183, Oswego, NY 13126. Pictured are the hilarious cast of “Old Money, New Habits” by Alexis Martin, co-winner of 2023 Playwriting Contest. From left to right are Kevin Colvin, Gina Mazzoli, Matthew Fleming, Scott Bandla and Tammy Thompson. Anyone interested in submitting an original One-Act Play script for the 2024 contest should contact Osweplay@yahoo.com for a complete set of rules and guidelines.

Five actors are busy working their way through a veritable maze of plot twists, turns, and pitfalls at the heart of Ira Levin’s “Deathtrap”, the legendary comedy-thriller coming to the Francis Marion Brown Theater at Fort Ontario in May courtesy of The Oswego Players. The production, part of The Little Theatre on the Water’s 86th-anniversary season, will run weekends, May 10th through 19th, 2024. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30PM, with Sunday matinee curtain times at 2PM. Tickets for the show are $15 for adults, $11 for seniors, and $10 for students. They may be reserved online at oswegoplayers.org, or by calling the Players’ box office at 315-343-5138.

A little slice of Arkansaw has been growing at the Frances Marion Brown Theater in the form of a 12-foot tree at the center The Oswego Players’ April production of Aurand Harris’ “The Arkansaw Bear.” Directed by Norman Berlin, III, the play is part of double-bill collaboration with the Oswego Opera Company who will present children’s opera “Brundibár” by Jewish Czech composer Hans Krása, libretto by Adolf Hoffmeister, and directed by Juan LaManna. The joint production will run April 5th, 6th and 7th at the Oswego Players, “The Little Theatre on the Water.” For more information and ticket sales please visit, oswegoplayers.org or call the Players’ box office at 315-343-5138.

Oswego Players and the Oswego Opera Theater are teaming up to bring together a special double-feature of magical realism, fairytale drama, and talking animals. "The Arkansaw Bear" and "Brundibar" will be presented together side-by-side thanks to a partnership between the city's two theatrical organizations. "The Oswego Players has a long history of camaraderie with Oswego Opera Theater," says Players President Norman Berlin III. "We have both been very generous to one another with sharing resources over the years, so to combine forces and create a new kind of event together felt like the next natural step in our relationship."

The Oswego Players and Oswego Opera Theater will be presenting the double bill children’s productions at the Frances Marion Brown Theater, Friday, April 5th at 7:30 PM, Saturday, April 6th at 7:30 Pm, and Sunday, April 7th, at 2:00 PM. The join production includes “The Arkansaw Bear” by Aurand Harris, directed by Norman Berlin, III and children’s opera “Brundibár” by Jewish Czech composer Hans Krása, libretto by Adolf Hoffmeister, and directed by Juan LaManna and Benjamin Spierman. The joint production will run April 5th, 6th and 7th at the Oswego Players, “The Little Theatre on the Water.” For more information and ticket sales please visit, oswegoplayers.org or call the Players’ box office at 315-343-5138. The Arkansaw Bear is presented by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.