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Oswego Players presenting “The Last Lifeboat” WSYR

The Last Lifeboat – Oswego Players

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A Message from Frances Marion Brown

“We’ve weathered many a storm and are still holding true to the reason we were started—‘to bring good theater by local casts to Oswego and its environs, and have fun doing it.’"

Frances Marion Brown

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Don't miss your chance to see Deathtrap. Tickets s

Don't miss your chance to see Deathtrap. Tickets still available but they're going fast! our.show/l7gp9fhx

The Bandla Family, long time members of OP will be

The Bandla Family, long time members of OP will be united on stage in 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.
Scott and Angella met on stage during the Oswego High School summer theater program’s production of Oliver! in the late 1980s. Scott visited SUNY Fredonia during one of Angella’s shows, and they started dating. The rest is history. Marrying five years after what can best be summed up as a very silly relationship, they started a family at the turn of the millennium with Will, Parker and finally Quinn each making their debut between 1999 and 2005. Years later when Angella started work as the Stage Manager on the musical, Carousel for the Oswego Opera, Will joined the cast as a young seven-year-old.
Deathtrap is the first show since 2015 that Scott and Will have been on stage together, while Angela over sees it all from the wings as Stage Manager.
“Deathtrap” features the talents of: Bill Cowham as Sidney Bruhl, Will Bandla as Clifford Anderson, Karla Chandler-McCord as Myra Bruhl, Adele Cronk as Helga ten Dorp, and Scott Bandla as Porter Milgrim. The production is under the direction of Inez Manor Parker.
Deathtrap is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
Cutline: A Family Affair. The Oswego Players upcoming production of “Deathtrap” is the first show since 2015 that Scott and Will Bandla (standing from left) have been on stage together with Angella Bandla (seated center). Parker Bandla (seated left) and Quinn Bandla (seated right) are taking acting and technical-theatre classes at different colleges, and are happy to cheer on the rest of the family in the upcoming show. r

Still don't have your tickets to Deathtrap? Skip t

Still don't have your tickets to Deathtrap? Skip to the front of the line! our.show/a319drn8

The behind-the-scenes buzz says Deathtrap is not t

The behind-the-scenes buzz says Deathtrap is not to be missed! Get your tickets now!. our.show/3v73zihh

Oswego Players Would Like Your Short Plays The Os

Oswego Players Would Like Your Short Plays
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!"
The contest honors Don McCann, a true wordsmith who not only directed thought-provoking plays but also crafted his own one-act gems. A lifelong resident of the Port City, McCann made his mark as a reporter for the Oswego Palladium Times before delving passionately into the realms of acting, directing, and writing with the Oswego Players in the mid-1950s. Throughout his four-decade tenure, he held roles as President and Historian for the theater group, which has been a staple in the regional arts scene since 1938. McCann's artistic flair leaned towards bold, message-driven plays such as The Visit, Inherit the Wind, and Agnes of God, all of which he helmed. Not only did he contribute numerous articles and play reviews, but he also ventured into crafting one-act plays for the group's performances.
"The Don McCann Showcase has been one of the most magical times of my life," says 2023 winner Alexis Martin. Martin wrote and directed "Old Money, New Habits," which shared first prize with "Game of the Week" - the collaborative effort of Aaron Buitron and Phil Gross. "My sincerest gratitude to the crew of Oswego Players," continues Martin, "who provided so many resources and gave such care into this idea and made me feel completely at home and a part of their theater family. The immense support has also been other worldly and it was so special to me to have so many dear friends and family members come out to see the production! I feel as though a beautiful journey has only just begun."
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.

Five actors are busy working their way through a v

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 maybe reserved online at oswegoplayers.org, or by calling the Players’ box office at 315-343-5138.
The hit dark comedy – which holds the record for the longest-running comedy-thriller on Broadway – tells the story of playwright Sidney Bruhl, who has not had a hit show in years. A possible break in his fortunes occurs when he receives a script from a student in the seminar he has been conducting at a nearby college – a thriller that Sidney recognizes immediately as a potential Broadway smash. Sidney’s plan, devised with his wife’s help, is to offer collaboration to the student for co-credit. Or is it?
The production is under the direction of Inez Manor Parker. Rounding out her creative team are Angella Bandla, Stage Manager, Whit Emerson, Fight Choreographer, William Edward White, Lighting and Sound Designer, Sonia Berlin, Costumer Designer, and Ken Snow, Master Carpenter. Deathtrap is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
Five actors explore a “show to die for” at the Francis Marion Brown Theater as The Oswego Players proudly presents Ira Levin’s comic-thriller, “Deathtrap” weekends May 10-19, 2024. This rogues’ acting gallery includes, from left: Adele Cronk as Helga ten Dorp, Bill Cowham as Sidney Bruhl, Karla Chandler-McCord as Myra Bruhl, Scott Bandla as Porter Milgrim, and Will Bandla as Clifford Anderson.
#oswegoplayers #deathtrap #iralevin #communitytheater #oswego

The show begins with the first click! Check out th

The show begins with the first click! Check out the Deathtrap website for a taste of what's coming our.show/rmiwy1d7

Just two days left before opening. Congratulations

Just two days left before opening. Congratulations to the cast and crew of Arkansaw Bear and Brundibár. Break a leg! our.show/s2awut6z

Don't miss your chance to see Arkansaw Bear and Br

Don't miss your chance to see Arkansaw Bear and Brundibár. Tickets still available but they're going fast! our.show/enslb1ec

A little slice of Arkansaw has been growing at the

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.
Saddened and bewildered at her grandfather's approaching death, Tish runs to her "special tree." There, in a world of fantasy provided by her wish on a star, she meets the aforementioned dancing bear. He is old, like her grandfather, and is running away. In trying to help him, she begins to understand the meaning of both life and death, which helps her to cope with her own sadness.
Players resident scenic artist Adele Cronk has employed chicken wire and papier- mâché on a very large scale to envision the 12-foot set piece into reality. She began in the basement shop of the theater, only to run out of ceiling space when the tree trunk reached seven feet.
“It was too big for both our backstage and lobby stairs,” Berlin said.
The logical solution was to move the set piece up the basement stairs from the Oswego Art Association’s pottery shop to the parking lot, then around the entire length of the building to the stage door entrance.
Once onstage, Cronk resumed work, bringing the framework to the full 12-foot height. From there she began adding texture and color to a finished work that Berlin is keeping under wraps so that audiences attending the production will be in for a magical treat.
“The Arkansaw Bear” – an important work by America's foremost playwright for young audiences blends realism and fantasy, pathos and humor. It is delightfully theatrical, with music, magic, and dance, and has been enthusiastically applauded by children and family audiences alike.

Musical Creatures Double-Feature! Oswego Players

Musical Creatures Double-Feature!
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 first of two shows to be presented is the Oswego Player's offering: "The Arkansaw Bear." This children's classic by Aurand Harris is the story of a young girl upset over her grandfather's illness. As she runs to her 'special tree' (a nine-feet tall set piece of which has been expertly constructed by scenic designer Adele Cronk), she meets the World's Greatest Dancing Bear. This bear is elderly, like her grandfather, and on the run from the cryptic Great Ringmaster. The girl and the bear become fast friends, and help one another to understand the nature of life and death. But between such heavy morals, there is plenty of dance, song, and card tricks. "The Arkansaw Bear" is directed by Norman Berlin III.
The second show of this double-billing comes from the Oswego Opera Theater, Hans Krása's children's opera "Brundibár." Directed by Juan La Manna, it's the tale of two siblings who sing the town square in order to buy milk for their sick mother. There, the titular character, a competing busker, chases away the sibling so he may have the square for himself. The children recruit the aid of a variety of animals to help thwart this bully. "Brundibár" was performed over 50 times in the Terezín concentration camp located in German-occupied Czechoslovakia and is considered to be of great historical importance.
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.

Still don't have your tickets to Arkansaw Bear and

Still don't have your tickets to Arkansaw Bear and Brundibár? Skip to the front of the line! our.show/fvxtwvqc

The Oswego Players and Oswego Opera Theater will b

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 first production presented “The Arkansaw Bear” tells the story of Tish who is saddened and bewildered at her grandfather’s approaching death, runs to her “special tree.” There, in a world of fantasy provided by her wish on a star, she meets the Worlds Greatest Dancing Bear. She is old, like her grandfather, and is running away. In trying to help her, Tish begins to understand the meaning of both life and death, which helps her to cope with her own sadness.
“The Arkansaw Bear” an principal work by America’s foremost playwright for young audiences. The play blends realism and fantasy, pathos and humor. It is delightfully whimsical with music, magic, and dance, and has been enthusiastically applauded by children and family audiences alike.
“The Arkansaw Bear” features the talents of: Nina King as Tish, Joely Sloan as Star Bright, Lilith Pape as the Mime, Stephanie Johnson as World’s Greatest Dancing Bear, Richard Carpenter as Great Ringmaster, Mallory Gordon as Little Bear, Lori Blackburn as Mother and Adele Anesko Cronk as Aunt Ellen.
Tish, the Mime and the Worlds Greatest Dancing Bear watch the joyful magical wishing star. “The Arkansaw Bear is part of double-bill collaboration with the Oswego Opera Company who will present children’s opera “Brundibár. Pictured, from left, are: Nine King, Lilith Pape, Stephanie Johnson and Joely Sloan. 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.

The behind-the-scenes buzz says Arkansaw Bear and

The behind-the-scenes buzz says Arkansaw Bear and Brundibár is not to be missed! Get your tickets now!. our.show/knxr9a3v

NEW PLAYWRIGHTS WANTED The Oswego Players are see

NEW PLAYWRIGHTS WANTED
The Oswego Players are seeking aspiring playwrights who want their work performed on stage. The Donald J. McCann Memorial One-Act Playwriting Contest, a competition dedicated to the discovery of local talent, is officially open for submissions this year. Oswego Players president Norman Berlin III says that, “Anyone who has ever had the slightest interest in writing a play is strongly encouraged to do so and enter!”
Don McCann, whom the contest is named after, was a writer at heart who not only directed thought-provoking plays, but also penned his own one-act pieces. A lifetime resident of the Port City, McCann made his mark professionally as a reporter for the Oswego Palladium Times but dove headlong with passion into his avocational interests of acting, directing, and writing by joining the Oswego Players in the mid-1950’s.
Over the next four decades he would serve several terms as President and Historian for the community theater group which has had a strong regional presence since 1938. Artistically speaking, he was known for favoring thought provoking, message-centered plays like “The Visit”, “Inherit the Wind”, and “Agnes of God”, all of which he directed. As a naturally gifted writer McCann would not only publish numerous articles and play reviews for the organization, but tried his hand penning one-act plays for the group to perform as well.
2023’s McCann Playwriting Contest co-winners were the writing duo of Aaron Buitron and Phil Gross for “Game of the Week” and Alexis Martin with “Old Money, New Habits.” These One-Acts recently performed at the Frances Marion Brown Theatre in front of three packed houses, thus fulfilling the organization’s goal of encouraging works by new writers. Game of the Week's Aaron Buitron says: "Winning this means everything, I’ve wanted to be a playwright since the 9th grade, so it’s absolutely surreal to see that dream come true."
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.
#oswegoplayers #playwriting #playwritingcontest

The Oswego Players will hold open auditions for it

The Oswego Players will hold open auditions for its May production of Ira Levin’s comedy-thriller “Deathtrap” on Friday, March 15th from 7–9PM and Sunday, March 19th from 2–4PM at the Francis Marion Brown Theatre, Fort Ontario, Oswego, NY.
The hit dark comedy tells the story of playwright Sidney Bruhl, who has not had a hit show in years. A possible break in his fortunes occurs when he receives a script from a student in the seminar he has been conducting at a nearby college – a thriller that Sidney recognizes immediately as a potential Broadway smash. Sidney’s plan, devised with his wife’s help, is to offer collaboration to the student for co-credit. Or is it?
The production, under the direction of Inez Manor Parker, will run weekends May 10th to May 19th, 2024. No preparation is necessary; auditionees will read scenes from the script. All roles are open.
The three male and two female cast of characters are as follows:
Sidney Bruhl – Male, age 50-60+. Polished, dashing, devious, clever, thinks he’s the smartest man in the room and wants people to know it; is “on stage” even when at home.
Clifford Anderson – Male, age 18-30. A student; very attractive, boyish and handsome at the same time; physically fit; he is very clever; knows he’s the smartest man in the room and can bide his time to display it; covers it with innocence, affection, and naïveté.
Myra Bruhl – Female, age 40-60+. Sophisticated, upper-class, but embraces the country life; innocent, sweet, caring, emotional, nervous, even skittish, supportive of Sidney’s career and moods but grows some backbone when he crosses the line.
Helga ten Dorp – Female, age 30-60+. Psychic, wild, individual, Gypsy-like; in and out of her world and this world; knows she’s a celebrity and buys into the show of her gift; has a Dutch accent; is disarming and brave when faced with pain and violence.
Porter Milgrim – Male, age 30-60+. Professional, solid, observant. Sidney’s attorney. Rehearsals will begin in Mid-March.
Deathtrap is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

The show begins with the first click! Check out th

The show begins with the first click! Check out the Arkansaw Bear and Brundibár website for a taste of what's coming our.show/dwklb88a

Killed The Cure” a 2017 play by Luke Yankee insp

Killed The Cure” a 2017 play by Luke Yankee inspired by the work of Dr. Max Gerson, one of the fathers of natural healing.
Auditions will be Monday and Wednesday, April 8th and 10th from 7-9PM each evening at the Frances Marion Brown Theater, Fort Ontario in Oswego. No preparation is necessary; auditionees will read sides from the script. Rehearsals will begin mid-May, 2024. Performance dates are weekends July 12-21, 2024.
The production is under the direction of William Edward White, who directed last season’s record-attendance and TANYS-award-winning production of “The Last Lifeboat”, also written by Luke Yankee.
When Max Gerson and his business partner, Rudolph Heller, escaped Nazi Germany, they had no idea what awaited them in New York. Rudy wanted the good life, treating his patients the traditional way. But when Max created an all-natural cure for cancer, the medical world felt threatened…not to mention his friend and colleague. Max was determined that the world should know about his findings, while the AMA and big pharmaceutical companies would stop at nothing to bury it completely. Inspired by true events in the life and death of Dr. Max Gerson, this gripping and controversial story delves into a world of medicine where the end goal is not healing, but profits.
The Man Who Killed The Cure is presented by special arrangement with Yankee Hill Productions.
@theoswegoplayers @oswegoplayersinc #oswegoplayers #oswegoplayersinc #francesmarionbrowntheater #communitytheatre #auditions #themanwhokilledthecure #lukeyankee

Just two days left before opening. Congratulations

Just two days left before opening. Congratulations to the cast and crew of Don McCann Playwriting Showcase. Break a leg! our.show/1hbs51kr

Don't miss your chance to see Don McCann Playwriti

Don't miss your chance to see Don McCann Playwriting Showcase. Tickets still available but they're going fast! our.show/7wjqcnqd

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