Oswego Players

06/23/2026

Oswego Players Announce 2026 Scholarship Winners

The Oswego Players have, for over 15 years, awarded two annual scholarships to high school seniors residing in Oswego County who are college bound in the fall. The scholarships are named in honor of long-term Oswego Players members, Marion Green and Lawrence E. Rose.

Recently, Tammy Thompson, the President of the Oswego Players, presented awards to the 2026 scholarship winners, Madeleine (“Maddy”) Tunis and Cali Tice.

The Lawrence E. Rose scholarship is in the field of Performing Arts. Larry Rose was an active member of the Oswego Players who participated in almost every production during his thirty-year affiliation. The Marion Green scholarship is in the field of English Writing Arts. Marion Green was an active patron whose many theatrical reviews appeared in the Oswego Palladium Times.

Maddy, winner of the Performing Arts scholarship and a Mexico High School graduate, has been a competition dancer since the 4th Grade. She now teaches dance at her studio as an intern, while also being the Commanding Officer of her ROTC program and is in the National Honors Society. She will attend the University of Buffalo where she aims to major in Dance with minors in Business and Spanish.

Cali, winner of the English Writing Arts and an Oswego High School graduate, was accepted at the Northern State University in South Dakota where she will study English and Creative Arts. She too started doing competition dance at a young age and has been best friends with Maddy since they started dancing together.

“These are two outstanding individuals,” Thomspon said. “They represent the very best of the next generation, and it is the Oswego Players great pleasure to award them the Rose and Green scholarships. We wish them the very best for their future endeavors and look forward to great things from them.”

Pictured are the Oswego Players 2026 scholarship winners Maddy Tunis (l) and Cali Tice (r) accepting their award from Players President Tammy Thompson.

06/17/2026

Just two days left before opening. Congratulations to the cast and crew of A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody. Break a leg! ⁣
https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/oswego-players-inc/695ac4829c040c104b4160ec/tickets?ots-cmpgn-refer=SOCIAL2D&utm_source=OnTheStage&utm_medium=ayrshare&utm_campaign=SOCIAL2D

06/16/2026

https://www.localsyr.com/bridge-street/the-oswego-players-prepare-for-latest-production-a-little-murder-never-hurt-anybody/

(WSYR-TV) — The Oswego Players are preparing to take on another slapstick comedy with their latest production of “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody”. Director Kevin Colvin stoppe…

06/15/2026

Auditions for the Oswego Players August Production

The Oswego Players, in their 88th year of performing multiple shows for the Oswego community, is proud to seek auditions for their August production “Steel Magnolias”. Written by Robert Harling, this acclaimed tragicomedy explores themes of love, loss and female resilience.

Directed by Kevin Colvin, the show is set in the late 1980s in a Louisiana home beauty salon and has been performed to critical acclaim around the world since its release in 1987. Auditions will be held from 7pm to 9pm on Tue June 23rd and Wed June 24th at the Frances Marion Brown Theater at 32 Barbara Donahue Drive, Oswego, NY. The audition will be a cold read from the script (see order below). The play features six female roles plus one of any gender who acts as the radio DJ during scene openings. The list of characters are:

Truvy Jones: 40s. The vibrant, warm-hearted owner of the beauty shop. She is the optimistic glue of the group who prides herself on making everyone feel welcome.

Annelle Dupuy-Desoto: 19. Truvy’s shy and nervous assistant, who undergoes a massive transformation during the play.

Clairee Belcher: mid 60s. The witty, sophisticated and wealthy widow of the town’s former mayor, known for playful sarcasm and fierce loyalty to her friends.

Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie: mid 20s. Prettiest girl in town. A spirited, fiercely independent young woman.

M’Lynn Eatenton: mid 50s. Shelby’s mother. Socially prominent career woman who is the emotional backbone of the group.

Ouiser Boudreaux: mid 60s. The group’s resident eccentric curmudgeon. Though she acts gruff and is perpetually annoyed with the world, she harbors a deeply caring and vulnerable heart.

DJ. Any age/gender. Role is unseen but needs a good reading voice.

Audition notes: The auditions will be conducted in three parts: Initial part is readings for the DJ role. Second part is group readings for the remainder of the cast, followed by specific individual readings for those wishing to audition for M’Lynn.

“Steel Magnolias” is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection (www.dramatists.com).

The Oswego Players acknowledges the generous financial contributions of Chiasson’s Heating and Air Conditioning.

06/12/2026

Don't miss your chance to see A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody. Tickets are still available but they're going fast! ⁣
https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/oswego-players-inc/695ac4829c040c104b4160ec/tickets?ots-cmpgn-refer=SOCIAL1W&utm_source=OnTheStage&utm_medium=ayrshare&utm_campaign=SOCIAL1W

06/09/2026

Community Theatre traditions live on in the Oswego Players’ June show “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody”

For 88 years, the Oswego Players have been presenting live theatre performed by your own neighbors – affordable, intimate and only here in Oswego! Not only does this tradition continue in the June performances of “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody”, but some additional elements truly enhance the community aspects of the Ron Bernas-written show. Performances are 7:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays June 19th, 20th, 26th and 27th with Sunday matinees at 2pm on June 21st and 28th.

As Oswego Players President Tammy Thompson said: “this incredibly funny show was proposed by long time Player's supporter Angella Bandla, and she was set to make her directorial debut at the Players in 2026 until she unexpectedly passed earlier this year. Angella never left anything undone, so we knew the show would have to continue, and we were fortunate when Kevin Colvin offered to bring her vision to life by stepping in as director.”

“During the auditions,” said Colvin, “I was struck with both the acting abilities and obvious connections between mother and daughter Rebecca Hill Kandt and Hannah Kandt. Casting them both in the show was an easy choice and one I am sure Angella would have loved given her joy when she was involved in shows with her own family.”

Becky, who plays the bumbling Detective Plotnik, got back into theatre when her kids convinced her to audition for a show with them. She has since done several other shows with Hannah and thoroughly enjoys working with them. “They make me so proud,” she said.

Hannah plays the ditzy daughter Bunny. She has been involved in theatre since she was tiny, and her mom has been with her every step of the way, allowing her to treasure their time together on stage. “I’m thrilled to be acting with her once again,” she said. “Long may it continue!”

Performance dates and times for “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody” are 7:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays June 19th, 20th, 26th and 27th with Sunday matinees at 2pm on June 21st and 28th. 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.

“A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc www.concordtheatricals.com.

The Oswego Players acknowledge the generous financial contributions of Chiasson’s Heating and Air Conditioning.

Pictured is Rebecca Hill Kandt and her daughter Hannah Kandt

06/05/2026

Still don't have your tickets to A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody? Skip to the front of the line! ⁣
https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/oswego-players-inc/695ac4829c040c104b4160ec/tickets?ots-cmpgn-refer=SOCIAL2W&utm_source=OnTheStage&utm_medium=ayrshare&utm_campaign=SOCIAL2W

06/01/2026

Stalwarts in the Oswego Players’ June Production of “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody”

You know you have a sure-fire hit when acting stalwarts want to participate in a production! The Oswego Players’ June performance of “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody” features Tammy Thompson and Troy Pepper, who have collectively been involved in community theater for over 30 years. The play, written by Ron Bernas and directed by Kevin Colvin, is a delightful farce featuring plots, sub-plots, bumbling detectives, know-it-all butlers, murder and mayhem designed to entertain audiences of all ages.

Tammy Thompson, the current President of the Oswego Players, has been around theater since 2001 as a “Theater Mom”. She joined the Players in 2016 and is in her second tenure as President. She has also acted in numerous roles over the years, most notably as Martha in “Arsenic and Old Lace” in 2024. The dual roles of President and actor “can be a bit daunting”, she said, “but it’s important to me to maintain the connection with the grass-roots reason we exist – putting on shows and entertaining audiences. It’s always fun working with new and different actors during a production.”

Over his two decades of involvement with the Oswego Players, Troy Pepper has filled just about every role possible for community theater. He has acted, produced, stage managed and provided technical support, but his favorite role is directing. “Something about presenting your own vision of a show for others to see is really exciting,” he said. “But I also love the acting part!”

The show’s director, Kevin Colvin, admits to the bittersweetness of bringing this production to fruition after the unexpected passing of Angella Bandla earlier this year. “This show is tribute to Angella but it is also incredibly funny,” Colvin said. “I hope audiences will enjoy the performance of Tammy and Troy as well as the other cast members while also remembering Angella and her wicked sense of humor.”

Performance dates and times for “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody” are 7:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays June 19th, 20th, 26th and 27th with Sunday matinees at 2pm on June 21st and 26th. 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.

“A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc www.concordtheatricals.com.

The Oswego Players acknowledge the generous financial contributions of Chiasson’s Heating and Air Conditioning.

Pictured is Tammy Thompson and Troy Pepper during rehearsals of “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody”

05/29/2026

The behind-the-scenes buzz says A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody is not to be missed! Get your tickets now. ⁣
https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/oswego-players-inc/695ac4829c040c104b4160ec/tickets?ots-cmpgn-refer=SOCIAL3W&utm_source=OnTheStage&utm_medium=ayrshare&utm_campaign=SOCIAL3W

05/26/2026

New Blood for the Oswego Players’ Production of “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody”

The Oswego Players’ June performance of “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody” features an actor making his stage debut. The play, written by Ron Bernas and directed by Kevin Colvin, is a delightful farce featuring schemes, counter-schemes, murder and mayhem all set in the house of the rich idle Perry couple.

Dr Alex Velez, originally from New York City, moved upstate to take up a position in the SUNY Oswego Admissions Office. His interest in community theatre grew after seeing a few local productions and subsequently volunteering at the Oswego Players in front-of-house roles. With a little prod from his friends, he auditioned for this show and was cast as Donald, the boyfriend of the Perry’s ditzy daughter. “This whole process is great,” he said. “It has been a massive learning curve being on stage, but the support provided by the more experienced actors and production staff has been excellent and really calmed my nerves. This is fun!”

“Welcoming new talent is one of the absolute joys of community theater,” said Colvin. “Alex showed a natural acting base and an excellent understanding of the parts, so it was easy to see him developing into a believable character. I was thrilled to be able to cast him as the scheming but blundering boyfriend. Hopefully, the students he deals with will be inspired by his ambition and his development outside his comfort zone.”

Performance dates and times for A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody” are 7:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays June 19th, 20th, 26th and 27th with Sunday matinees at 2pm on June 21st and 26th. 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.

“A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc www.concordtheatricals.com.

The Oswego Players acknowledge the generous financial contributions of Chiasson’s Heating and Air Conditioning.

Pictured is Alex Velez as he immerses himself in his role of the bumbling boyfriend in “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody.”