Gary Thomas has been a postman in Brockport for 25 years. When not delivering letters, he loves delivering lines on stage. Thomas' passion for theater started in high school and led to a degree in theater arts at SUNY College at Brockport in 1971. His play writing and acting have continued through his work in church dramas and in community theater in Brockport. For many years he was part of the Brockport Community Players and then the D'Agostino Dinner Theater, both of which have been discontinued. Thomas lives in Brockport with his wife, two daughters and a son. Currently Thomas and the BUM Players (Brockport United Methodist Church) are rehearsing "Death by Debate," a mystery theater written and directed by Thomas. The plot focuses on an election and a candidate who fails to show up for a debate. The event, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Brockport, will be held October 28 and 29, and on November 4 and 5. BUM Players was organized by Gary Thomas, John McCarthy, and Bonnie and Ron Beiswenger. They began by performing drama ministry in Sunday worship at the Brockport United Methodist Church. To raise money for the church's budgetary need about ten years ago, they started a dessert theater in the fellowship hall. It has been an annual church event ever since. Thomas says the mystery theater, in its third year with the Kiwanis Club as sponsor, is an outreach to the community, extending the BUM Players' stage skills beyond their church to benefit the Kiwanis charitable projects. The cast for "Death by Debate" includes Gary Thomas, John McCarthy and Mary Ann Rutkowski of Brockport; Jessica Richardson and Jane Henion Avery of the town of Sweden; Bonnie and Ron Beiswenger, Charles Edwards, Paul and Ryan Kimball, Dave Odrzywolski of the town of Clarkson. The dinner theater begins at 7:30 p.m. on all four nights at the Brockport Middle School large group meeting room. Tickets are $8 which includes dessert and beverages. For information phone (585) 637-4345. October 23, 2005 |
