On Golden Pond
by Ernest Thompson
directed by Pauline Jodoin
Thurs.-Sat., Oct. 19-Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m.
The Davies Foundation Auditorium
52 Church St., Kingston, ON
 Left to right: Cindy Chappell, Valerie Winslow, Alexandre Phaneuf and Robert McMahon. |
This is the love story of Ethel and Norman Thayer, who are returning to their summer home on Golden Pond for the forty-eighth year. He is a retired professor, nearing eighty, with heart palpitations and a failing memory-but still as tart-tongued, observant and eager for life as ever. Ethel, ten years younger, and the perfect foil for Norman, delights in all the small things that have enriched and continue to enrich their long life together.
Norman, whose memory isn’t what it once was, is about to turn eighty and seems preoccupied, albeit humorously, with the prospect of dying. And, he's looking through the classified ads in the local paper in search of a job.
Then a letter arrives from the Thayers' divorced daughter Chelsea, announcing that she is coming for a visit with her new boyfriend, Bill. When they arrive they have Bill's son Billy with them. Somewhat reluctantly, Normal and Ethel agree to have Billy stay with them while Chelsea and Bill are in Europe.
During the summer Norman and Billy form a close relationship. When Chelsea returns she and her parents discuss their relationship, which has been distant for some time, and agree to see more of each other. Norman is still doubtful when Chelsea and Bill invite them to California, but his fondness for Billy wins out.
 John Corrigan (left) and Alexandre Phaneuf. |
On Golden Pond opened Off Off Broadway in 1978, then moved to the Apollo Theatre on Broadway in February 1979. It played there for more than 400 performances, and went on to become a successful film in 1981.
Cast |
|
| Norman Thayer Jr. | John Corrigan |
| Ethel Thayer | Cindy Chappell |
| Charlie Martin | Jason Bowen |
| Chelsea Thayer-Wayne | Valerie Winslow |
| Billy Ray | Alexandre Phaneuf |
| Bill Ray | Robert McMahon |
| Operator (voice) | Linda Hamstra |
Production Crew |
|
| Producers | Jay Steglich John Corrigan |
| Director | Pauline Jodoin |
| Stage Manager | D.T. McNichol |
| Asst. Stage Manager | Linda Hamstra |
| Set & Lighting Design | David L. Smith |
| Sound Design | Michelle McNichol |
| Costume Design | Sarah Toomey |
| Chief Carpenter | Rick Jodoin |
| Props | Marlene Buttress |
| Set Dressing | Liz Schell |
| Lighting Operation | James Leslie Bernd Steglich Jay Steglich |
| Sound Operation | Angie Roberts |
| Set Construction | Bob Brooks Grant Buckler John Corrigan James Gow Lornia Jodoin Ian Rutherford |
| Set Painting | John Corrigan Bernd Steglich Jay Steglich |
| Stage Hands | Marlene Buttress Gregory Britt |
| Lobby Photography | Claudia Wade |
| Archival Photography | Grant Buckler |
| Lobby Art Curator | Karen Peperkorn |
| Front of House Co-ordinator | Steve Powell |