When the Oswego Players opens the doors to their Frances Marion Brown Theater December 3rd, audiences will be excited to see many veteran actors and some new faces on the stage.
That smiling face you see in the photograph is none other than Robert Kovak. And hovering over him in the picture are mother and daughter team, Beverly and Megan Murtha. Beverly and Megan are fresh off the stage from the most recent production of “Dearly Departed.” Beverly will be playing the part of Maggie Cutler and Megan will take on the role of Lorraine Sheldon.
Do not be deceived by that warm smile on Robert’s face. When he takes on the character role of Sheridan Whiteside, Bob will not have many opportunities to smile. His character is anything but nice. You see, Mr. Whiteside has just taken over the Shelden household due to an unfortunate fall and his stay is anything but pleasant. His antics, however, bring out the opportunity for many a laugh as the story unfolds.
Robert is making his debut with the Oswego Players, having performed with many CNY groups. A SUNY Oswego grad in Music & Theater, he’s appeared in lead dramatic roles as well as musical ones there. His last performance was for Oswego Opera’s production of “The Mikado” as the Mikado.
Even while serving as a Russian linguist for the Navy, Robert found time to appear in a traveling theater showcase that toured army bases around Turkey & Germany. He was a member of the opera chorus for 3 years for Hawaii Opera Theater, a regular member of Asheville Lyric Opera and, of the Opera Theater of Syracuse. Among his favorite roles were Thenardite (Les Misérables) for Skaneateles Summer Theater, Pangloss/Voltaire (Candide) for Auburn Players and as Street Singer/Filch (Three Penny Opera) for the Homer Center for the Arts.
Robert, Beverly, Megan, and the entire cast hope to see your smiling faces when the lights go up. Performances run December 3, 4, 10, and 11 at 7:30 pm as well as December 5, 12 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are on sale by calling the Oswego Players’ box office at 315-343-5138 or by reserving seats via the OP website at: oswegoplayers.org.
Shown in photograph left to right: Beverly Murtha, Robert Kovak, Megan Murtha.
Photograph by Peter Mahan