Oswego Players

10/05/2026

https://www.localsyr.com/bridge-street/oswego-players-present-old-money-new-habits/

The Oswego Players are scheduled to debut their new production of Old Money, New Habits at the Frances Marion Brown Theatre from October 9th through 18th.

10/05/2026

Auditions for the Oswego Players Christmas Production of “The Nutcracker”

For 88 years, the Oswego Players have delivered on their promise of live theater performed by your neighbors – affordable, intimate and only here in Oswego. The Players are proud to seek auditions for their December production of “The Nutcracker”. Adapted by June Walker Rogers, this classic Christmas show is directed by Jennifer Hitchcock.

Auditions will be held from 5pm to 7pm on October 15th and 10am to 12pm on October 17th at the Frances Marion Brown Theater at 32 Barbara Donahue Drive, Oswego, NY. The auditions will be a cold read from the script. There are roles for two adult males and two adult females, along with 25 – 30 children aged five to eighteen. No prior experience is necessary, just the desire to contribute to a wonderful, magical performance that will bring the Christmas spirit to the community.

At a gala Christmas Eve party, Clara’s godfather presents her with an amazing Nutcracker in the form of a wooden soldier. Too excited to sleep, she suddenly finds the Nutcracker brought to life. He tells her he is a prince under the wicked enchantment of the Mouse King, and she joins him in a series of adventures in strange lands as he seeks to regain his throne. When she wakes, she finds the Nutcracker gone. Was it a dream or not? This beloved play will be enhanced with dances to the music of Tchaikovsky.

Director Jennifer Hitchcock has a strong track record of bringing Christmas shows to the stage, with an emphasis on children’s performances. “The adults are the necessary cement that binds the shows together, but the kids are the real stars,” she said. “I love seeing them blossom with the chance of being on stage, knowing that sometimes it can be a life-changing experience for them. I’m not necessarily looking for established talent – what I am looking for is those who are willing to give their all, and to commit to the rehearsals and performances while having fun in a safe environment.” She is also seeking production support for choreographers and hair and make-up – interested parties can advise her at the auditions or email her at [email protected].

Performance times and dates for “The Nutcracker” are 7:30pm on Friday, December 4th and 11th, and 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays December 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th.

“The Nutcracker” is presented by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.

10/02/2026

Don't miss your chance to see Old Money New Habits. Tickets are still available but they're going fast! ⁣
https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/oswego-players-inc/69652a827654672e123d62ef/tickets?ots-cmpgn-refer=SOCIAL1W&utm_source=OnTheStage&utm_medium=ayrshare&utm_campaign=SOCIAL1W

09/29/2026

A Performance For the Ages – the Oswego Players present “Old Money, New Habits”

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”

09/25/2026

Still don't have your tickets to Old Money New Habits? Skip to the front of the line! ⁣
https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/oswego-players-inc/69652a827654672e123d62ef/tickets?ots-cmpgn-refer=SOCIAL2W&utm_source=OnTheStage&utm_medium=ayrshare&utm_campaign=SOCIAL2W

09/22/2026

Familiar Faces Found in Oswego Players’ Fall Farce

The Oswego Players’ Fall show is the hilarious farce “Old Money, New Habits”, written by local playwright Alexis Martin and directed by Sherri Metz.

In classic farce fashion, the play is set ‘somewhere in England’ in the 1930s and will be performed October 9th – 18th at the Frances Marion Brown Theater in Fort Ontario Park.

Featuring temperamental aristocrats, insecure siblings, conniving wives and a butler, the plot weaves its way through murder, inheritance, skullduggery, infidelity and the odd glass of port.

“I have been directing farces for over a decade,” said Metz, “and I can honestly say that this play is right up there with the best in terms of clever dialogue, madcap movement and that ability to surprise the audience. It takes a lot of skill to incorporate such unexpected twists and turns throughout the performance.”

Playing the bombastic and overbearing Percival is Players’ regular Joshua DeLorenzo. His debut with the Players occurred many years ago when he brought his daughter to an audition, ended up auditioning himself and secured a part – his first since college. “The experience then was great,” DeLorenzo said, “and I have just kept coming back ever since. I’ve been fortunate to play in a wide variety of roles and really grow my acting ability. Each cast provides a new group to bond with and learn from, and this one is no different. Our focused but lighthearted interaction makes the whole rehearsal experience enjoyable and I’m really looking forward to bringing Percival to life in front of audiences.”

Opposite DeLorenzo is Karla Chandler-McChord playing the demure and devoted wife Penelope, whose role in life appears cleaning up the messes left by her husband. Chandler-McChord was a regular at the Players for many years until her work and personal life took her to New York City. She returned in 2023 and has re-immersed herself into the Players, both on stage and behind the scenes. “I love all aspects of theater,” she said. “Helping out with sound or lighting keeps me involved, but my true passion is being on stage. What I like particularly about this role are the secrets that emerge during the production that influence my character. But I’m not spilling any early details on what those may be!”

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): Joshua DeLorenzo and Karla Chandler-McChord during rehearsals for “Old Money, New Habits”

09/18/2026

The behind-the-scenes buzz says Old Money New Habits is not to be missed! Get your tickets now. ⁣
https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/oswego-players-inc/69652a827654672e123d62ef/tickets?ots-cmpgn-refer=SOCIAL3W&utm_source=OnTheStage&utm_medium=ayrshare&utm_campaign=SOCIAL3W

09/15/2026

New and Returning Performers Shine with the Oswego Players

Rehearsals are well under way for the Oswego Players’ Fall show for the 2026 season, “Old Money, New Habits”, written by local playwright Alexis Martin and directed by Sherri Metz. The play will be performed October 9th – 18th at the Frances Marion Brown Theater in Fort Ontario Park.

Juniper Briggs and Jennifer Hitchcock play the classically mismatched newlyweds Monty and Felicity Davies in this farce set in the 1930s in England. Monty is an easy going, devoted husband, while Felicity is the domineering and conniving wife who must get everything she desires. Both have secrets and they would do anything to avoid their exposure.

Hitchcock started with the Players in 2003, and this is her first time back on stage in a full-length production since 2021 and the birth of her daughter. “I’m having the time of my life with this show,” she said. “Although my daughter doesn’t really grasp why Mommy leaves her to go to rehearsals and gives a puzzled expression while I’m reciting my lines around the house in my posh English accent. I love doing farce, and working under the direction of Sherri is the perfect way to come back on stage.”

For Briggs, although he has some stage experience with other theaters, this is his first show with the Oswego Players. “I heard about the auditions through the Players’ page,” he said. “I knew nothing about the show, but the character descriptions and outline intrigued me, so I figured I’d give it a shot! I was delighted when Sherri cast me and have really appreciated the welcome, I received from all and the trust and respect all the actors and crew show to each other.”

Metz has been pleased with progress so far. “I love farce, but it is a very difficult type of theater to do well. Not only do the cast need to ‘become’ their characters, but they must deliver spot-on timing with entrances, exits, and interaction. This whole crew are doing really well and I am confident will provide a first-class show.”

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): Juniper Briggs and Jennifer Hitchcock during rehearsals for “Old Money, New Habits”

09/11/2026

The show begins with the first click! Check out the Old Money New Habits website for a taste of what's coming. ⁣
https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/oswego-players-inc/69652a827654672e123d62ef/tickets?ots-cmpgn-refer=SOCIAL4W&utm_source=OnTheStage&utm_medium=ayrshare&utm_campaign=SOCIAL4W

09/09/2026

Oswego Players Announces 2026 Don McCann Prize Winners

“Undiscovered Country” has taken top honors in the Oswego Players 2026 Don J. McCann Memorial One-Act Play Writing Contest.

By Dana Leslie Goldstein, of Brooklyn, “Undiscovered Country” examines losing a loved one and how, through memories, lost love can be found. A panel of 15 volunteer judges praised it for its flow of dialog and richly developed characters. Goldstein receives a $250 cash prize.

Garnering a $150 second-place prize is Ben Dworken, of New York City, for “I Am Enough.” It’s a story of a young autistic man who struggles to conquer his inner insecurities before a big audition.

The $75 third-place prize is awarded to “All for a Buck,” by Keith Whalen, of Peekskill. Whalen’s play is about a son who discovers who his father truly was through his best friends.

All three plays will be produced by the Little Theatre by the Water on March 5-7, 2027, in the Frances Marion Brown Theatre at Fort Ontario Park. Presentations of the prize-winning plays in previous years have attracted sold-out audiences.

Volunteers in Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Oswego, evaluated a total of 100 submissions by writers from throughout New York state.
The contest readers narrowed 100 plays down to eight finalists and, from that group, they selected the three winners.

Other finalists were “Just Right” by Wesley Cappiello, “It’s All in the Game” by Ellen Abrams, and “A Christmas Message” by Charles Gelles, all of New York City; “On The First and Only Day of Christmas” by Ruben Carbajal, of Lansing; and “Poseidon and The Sea Nymph” by Scott C. Sickles, of Forest Hills.

“The Donald McCann Memorial One-Act Playwriting Contest has become a cornerstone in the Oswego Players' mission to encourage and spotlight new voices in the world of theater. The organization's dedication to fostering original plays remains as strong as ever,” said Norman Berlin III, Don McCann Playwriting Contest Coordinator.

The Oswego Players, founded in 1938, remains one of the oldest, continually active community theater groups in America.

Directors of the winning plays will be named soon, Berlin said. Tickets for the performances will go on sale in January. For information, call (315) 343-5138 or visit www.oswegoplayers.org.

The three prize winners of the 2026 Don McCann Playwriting Contest; from left to right, first place “Undiscovered Country” by Dana Leslie Goldstein of Brooklyn, second place “I Am Enough by Ben Dworken of New York City and third place “All for a Buck” by Keith Whalen of Peekskill.