For this year’s fifth iteration of the Don McCann Playwriting Showcase, join the Oswego Players as they kick-off their 88th Season over the weekend March 6th – March 8th by watching the four standout one act plays from last year’s Don McCann One Act Memorial Playwriting Contest.
The Annual Showcase and Playwriting Contest honors the memory of Donald J. McCann, who was a writer, director, former President and longtime historian for the Oswego Players. The Don McCann Memorial One Act Playwriting Contest gives playwrights across New York State the opportunity to submit original one act plays for judging every year. Nearly 150 entries were submitted in 2025, and the reading panel eventually whittled these plays down to four prize winners.
The Don McCann Playwriting Showcase which started in 2022 as a one-evening event, has transformed into a much-anticipated, annual full weekend run. The Don McCann Playwriting Showcase has become a wonderful new tradition for “The Little Theatre on the Water.” All four prize winning One-Act plays of 2025 Don McCann Playwriting contest will be presented as fully staged productions at this year’s Showcase.
The 2025 Showcase includes “Gun Shy” by Chris Woodworth, directed by Shy Sims, “The Bay of Fundy” by David Adam Gill, directed by Kimberly Vogt, “Good Guys” by Keith Whalen, directed by Sherri Metz, and the 2025 contest winner, “And We Danced” by Brian Leahy Doyle, also directed by Kimberly Vogt.
Showtimes are 7:30pm on Friday, March 6th and Saturday, March 7th with a 2:00pm matinee on Sunday, March 8th. Tickets are “Pay-What-You-Wish” with the proceeds going towards the Don McCann Memorial Playwriting Contest Fund.
Tickets for the Fifth Annual Don McCann Playwriting Showcase are available for purchase at https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/oswego-players-inc/696e84153e2b905b2ec65178. Tickets can also be purchased by clicking the ticket button on oswegoplayers.org or by calling the theatre’s box office at (315) 343-5138.
Long-time Players member, Stephanie Johnson (“The Cannoli Queen” on Facebook), will provide light catering for the event with her specialty of Italian-themed items.
Please be aware that some of these plays feature adult themes, so these productions are for an adult audience only.
The Oswego Players acknowledges the generous financial contributions of Chiasson’s Heating and Air Conditioning.
You don’t want to miss this one weekend special event.