The set is built; the costumes are ready; the choreography is settled. The stage is set for the Oswego Players’ October production of “Old Money, New Habits”, an acclaimed classic-style farce written by local playwright Alexis Martin and directed by Sherri Metz. The play will be performed on weekends October 9th – 18th at the Frances Marion Brown Theater in Fort Ontario Park.
A theatre company like the Oswego Players is made up of people from the community: teachers, students, parents, neighbors, professionals and retirees, all united in a love of theater and a desire to entertain. The two “old timers” of this production typify this sentiment. Bill Cowham, playing The Butler, and Eric Cronk, playing The Executor, are both retired professionals who use theater to remain mentally active and who enjoy bringing characters to life on stage.
“I prefer to think that we bring experience, wisdom and some necessary gravitas to the ensemble,” Cronk said when asked how he fits in with younger cast members. “I started acting with the Oswego Players back in 2002 and have been on stage more times than I could count. Experience has got to count for something!”
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Cowham’s acting experience is all life-based. “I caught the acting bug in high school a hundred years ago,” he said. “But my working career precluded me developing it further until I settled here in 2021 with my Oswego-born wife. I joined the Players in 2023, and I can honestly say it’s been one of my better decisions. I really enjoy playing villains, or dark characters, and the role of the polite yet creepy Butler is a joy to perform.”
“One of the features I love most about community theater is the wide range of actors who audition for roles,” director Metz said. “I’ve known Eric for a couple of decades now and really understand the depth of his talent. As for Bill, he was an unknown when he joined us, but he’s a powerhouse of energy and has brought a wide range of characters to life in the relatively short time he’s been with us. I knew these two would round out the cast well in their roles.”
Performance dates and times for “Old Money, New Habits” are 7:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays October 9th, 10th, 16th and 17th with Sunday matinees at 2pm on October 11th and 18th. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors/students and can be secured through oswegoplayers.org or by calling the box office on (315) 343-5138.
“Old Money, New Habits” is presented by special arrangement with Old Money Productions (www.oldmoneyproductions.com). The Oswego Players acknowledges the generous financial contributions of Chiasson’s Heating and Air Conditioning.
Pictured (L to R): Bill Cowham and Eric Cronk discussing some of the finer points of the play during rehearsals for “Old Money, New Habits”