Write a commentCatch the final weekend of The Oswego Players’ holiday production “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” Dec. 13-15.
Come to the Frances Marion Brown Theater on Barbara Donahue Drive, across from Fort Ontario State Historic Site in Oswego, to get into the holiday spirit. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday.
“There are not enough words to describe how proud I am of my cast and crew,” said director Jennifer Hitchcock. “What an amazing opening weekend! If you missed us last weekend, you have another chance to catch this beautiful story! You will laugh. You will cry. And you will walk away with the spirit of Christmas in your heart.”
Tickets are $17 for adults, $13 for seniors and $12 for students.
The Oswego Players have partnered with “Toys for Tots” as a drop-off location for donations. Attendees who bring a new, unwrapped toy to this weekend’s production will receive a dollar off their ticket at the box office.
Written by Andrew J. Fernady, the play is inspired by the true, simple and poignant letter written in 1897 by 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon to the editor of “The New York Sun.” Virginia wondered and wrote: “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 is so. Please tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Claus?”
The Oswego Players’ production is under the direction of Jennifer Hitchcock, who originally brought the show to the stage of Frances Marion Brown in 2016. Working with her as assistant director and stage manager is Caylyn Salmonsen. For this revival, Hitchcock has a cast of 19 actors, with ages ranging from six to 60-plus.
The cast includes the talents of William Edward White as Edward P. Mitchell; Pablo Mendoza as Frank P. Church; Helen McDonald as Virginia O’Hanlon; Kaleigh Hartle as Andrea Borland, and Kevin Colvin as James O’Hanlon.
Other cast members include Krista Thomas, Charlie Thompson, Richard Carpenter, Chloe Hill, Mallory Gordon, Lilith Pape, Charlotte Gilkey, Averyanna Wilson, Christina Rogers, Norman Berlin, Bill Cowham, Craig Gilkey, Donald Crowe and Megan Estep.
“Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” is presented by special arrangement with the Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call The Oswego Players’ box office at 315-343-5138 or visit www.oswegoplayers.org.
