There is a generational feeling at The Oswego Players this Christmas, with familiar faces who have literally grown up onstage at the Frances Marion Brown Theater tackling new roles for “Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus.”
The production will run weekends, December 6th to 15th onstage at the Frances Marion Brown Theater at Fort Ontario, Oswego, NY. Friday and Saturday night performances are at 7:30PM, while curtain time for the two Sunday matinees is at 2PM.
Tickets are $17 for adults, $13 for seniors and $12 for students. They may be reserved online by going to oswegoplayers.org, or by calling the Players’ Box Office at (315) 343-5138.
Written by Andrew J. Fernady, the play is inspired by the true, simple, poignant letter written in 1897 by 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon to the editor of the New York Sun, “Dear Editor, I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says if you see it in the Sun, it’s so. Please tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Claus?”
Among the 19-member cast, ranging in ages from six to 60-plus is Helen McDonald in the role of Virginia O’Hanlon. While this is her first leading role, audiences will be recognize her from previous productions with the Players’ Last season she played “Fan” in “A Christmas Carol”, and earlier this year, she appeared “Sparrow” the Oswego Opera’s production of “Brundibar” which played in April at the Frances Marion Brown.
The Players’ production is under the direction of Jennifer Hitchcock, who originally brought the show to the stage of the Frances Marion Brown in 2016. Working with her as Assistant Director and Stage Manager is Caylyn Salmonsen, who has appeared in many previous productions, such as “A Murder is Announced” and “A Christmas Carol”. For the teenage actress, moving from stage to the production table is like going full circle.
“I’m so happy to have this opportunity to have a bigger role in the production of ‘Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Clause’, and it’s amazing that I get to work with my first ever director. Jen watched me act for the first time ever all those years ago, and now I’m sitting next to her at the directors table. It’s amazing.”
“Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus” is presented by special arrangement with the Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.
The Director, Leading Actress and Assistant Director of the Oswego Players’ production “Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Clause” From left: Jennifer Hitchcock, Helen McDonald, and Caylyn Salmonsen. The production will run weekends, December 6th to 15th onstage at the Frances Marion Brown Theater at Fort Ontario, Oswego, NY.