BUM Players on stage for "The Odd Couple"

The Brockport United Methodist (BUM) Players are preparing their annual Dessert Theatre Comedy. On April 25, 26, 27 and 28, the group will present "The Odd Couple," by Neil Simon.

Sticking with tradition, the cost of admission includes a dessert ($5 for general admission, $4 for seniors, with no more than $10 total for a family).

The comedy is directed by the Founder of the BUM Players, Gary "Turk" Thomas. He is also portraying Oscar Madison. Turk has been active in community theatre for more than 20 years, having acted in "Dracula" for the Lincoln Dinner Theatre, "Summer and Smoke" for Brockport Community Players, and "Aaron Slick from Punkin' Crick" for the BUM Players. He has been employed by the Brockport Post Office for 20 years, and he and his wife, Debbie, have been very active with the Brockport United Methodist Church for many years.

The role of Felix Unger will be played by Turk's real-life pal, John "Mack" McCarthy. Mack has also been active with many productions of the BUM Players, Lincoln Dinner Theatre and Brockport Community Players. He has been employed by Lifetime Assistance since 1981.

Terry Marsham, who has been a member of the Brockport United Methodist Church since 1957, is the production stage manager and assistant director. He and his wife, Carol, live in Brockport and are leaders in many Brockport United Methodist Church activities.

Bonnie Beiswenger returns to the stage one again. She has acted in every BUM Players Comedy. She and her husband, Ron, have been involved since the beginning. Ron is designing and building the set and Bonnie plays one of the Pigeon sisters, who are neighbors of Oscar and Felix.

The other Pigeon sister is played by Lesa Tabbitas. Lesa and her family are long time members of the Brockport United Methodist Church. Lesa acted in "Look Who's Laughing" and "More Than Meets the Eye" with The BUM Players, as well as in "Grease" with the Brockport School of Dance and Performing Arts.

The four card playing friends of Oscar and Felix are portrayed by Dave Hansen, Chuck Edwards and Dave and Dan Odrzywolski. Dave is Dan's father. Dan has been involved with high school plays like "Singing in the Rain" and "Little Shop of Horrors" at Spencerport High School, and acted in "More Than Meets the Eye" with the BUM Players. Dave and his wife, Kathy, have another son, Chris. They will be relocating to Clarkson soon.

Dave Hansen and his wife, Elaine, were the producers of the Lincoln Dinner Theatre in the 1980s. They were also very active with the Brockport Community Players. Their four children carry on their tradition - in school and church plays at Holley High School and St. John's Lutheran School in Hamlin.

Rounding out the cast is Charles Edwards, who has been involved for over twenty years in community theatre - with the Brockport Community Players, the Lincoln Dinner Theatre and the Library Murder Mystery series as the Bone Detective Oliver Gideon. He teaches forensic anthropology and primate behavior at SUNY Brockport.

For ticket information, call the Church office at 637-4240. The evening performances (April 25, 26, and 27) begin at 7:30 and the Sunday matinee, (April 28) is at 2 p.m. The church is located at 92 Main Street in Brockport. The entrance is on Erie Street.