OSWEGO – In 1944 as the 984 refugee’s arrived at Fort Ontario, one can only imagine how they must have felt after the treacherous voyage from Bari, Italy.
The two-week voyage on an Army transport ship, the Henry Gibbins, was long and precarious at best. When the ship finally docked in New York, the group boarded a train and traveled directly to Oswego and their temporary home.
As difficult as this must have been for the adults, the impact on the young ones must have been horrific.
As each member arrived at the gates of the compound in Oswego, they were met with an imposing barbed wired topped fence that surrounded the encampment.
Everyone was placed under quarantine which meant no one could leave and no one could visit. And day after day, there was the fence, reminding them of what they had left behind.
When Michael Nupuf and Laura Lowrie decided to create their play, “Safe Haven,” they new that the story needed to center around family and in particular the children of Joseph Smart and Isaac Levy.
Director Mosher was very pleased to have cast two alumni of the Players Theater Arts Youth Academy August McDonald will get to hone his acting ability as Donnie Smart son of Joseph Smart. August was last seen in the Youth Academy’s production of “Snow White and the Queen of Mean.” Katie Gerth, another alumni of TAYA, shines as the granddaughter of Dr. Isaac Levy in the show. Katie loves acting and it shows.
And Avery Farfaglia gets the role he was hoping for when he steps onto the stage of the American Foundry as Simon Levy, grandson of Isaac and Miriam Levy.
The cast and crew have been working faithfully for the last number of weeks and will be ready to deliver a performance sure to entertain all who attend.
“Safe Haven” is being offered as part of the 75th Commemoration of the Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter June 1 and 2 at the American Foundry in Oswego.
June 1 reservations can be made for dinner and the play or for the play only.
June 2 brunch and play or play only reservations may be made.
All reservations will include a free admission ticket to the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum on the Fort Ontario Complex, Oswego.
Please log onto oswegoplayers.org or call the box office at 343-5138.
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