High School Reunion At Oswego Players

OSWEGO – When Eve Phillips met fellow teacher Mark Mirabito at Oswego High School, she didn’t realize they’d be spending the next few decades on stage together. The two developed a lifelong friendship over the course of many productions, the majority of which were with the Oswego Players.

“Our favorite show together,” says Phillips, “was ‘Auntie Mame.’ I was Mame, Mark played Beau.”

And while the duo remain friends, they haven’t shared the stage in over two decades.

“We never had so much fun acting,” she continued, “That is, until now.”

Eve and Mark reunite for the first time in more than twenty years for this spring’s production of ‘A Bad Year for Tomatoes’ by John Patrick. Fed up with the pressures of fame, starlet Myra Marlowe (played by Phillips) visits a small New England town to hide out and write her autobiography. Her prying neighbors cause Myra to get tangled up in lies, leading to a madcap adventure.

Veteran director Inez Manor Parker says of this reunion, “You ever notice how funnier everything is when you’re with your close friends? Well, let me tell you, you will witness that when these two are on stage!”

Mark Mirabito plays opposite Eve in the role of Tom, as her character’s agent and erstwhile romantic interest.

“They have such an undeniable comic connection, I’m wiping away tears right now just thinking about it,” says Parker.

“Working with Mark again is such fun! We have loads of ‘Do you remembers?’ to bring up, both from shows and from when we were teaching,” says Phillips.

“He’s not only a great actor, he’s also a great friend to me! He invited me to be on a trivia team and that’s allowed me to make new friends… and feel useful! I’m the literature and drama person in the group.”

‘A Bad Year for Tomatoes’ only runs for two weekends, from April 24 to May 03. Performances are at 7:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2pm on Sundays. Tickets for this show are on sale now at OswegoPlayers.org; for phone reservations please call the Box Office at 315-343-5138. It is highly recommended you secure your seats today. “And be sure to bring a friend!” insists Parker.

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

‘A Bad Year for Tomatoes’ is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service (www.dramatists.com).

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