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“On Golden Pond” By Ernest Thompson
“On Golden Pond”, by Ernest Thompson, is the outside performance that I chose to attend and critique. Michael Oberfield directed and acted in this performance of “ On Golden Pond.” Though the production was produced in cooperation with the Graham Agency, actors from the community and acting students from the local Academy of Arts played active rolls. Set Design was done by Russel A. Thompson and costume design by Jane Bingham.
I was put under the impression that this play was a comedy with a serious twist, but after viewing the performance it seemed more like a serious play with a little comedy to keep the audience interested. An elderly couple, Ethel and Norman, which discover much about themselves and their middle-aged children arrive at their summer home in New England, as they do every summer. Soon, their estranged daughter Chelsea, played by Beth Ellege, shows up with her boyfriend Bill, played by John Vessels Jr., and his thirteen-year old son Billy, Conflicts between Norman and Chelsea, which have been going on for years, further develop upon her arrival at the lake. The main role of Norman, played by Ron Bupp, was introduced as a grumpy and elderly old man, but deep down in all seriousness a very sensitive, shy person who seems to try to hide these traits with crankiness and bluster. Ethel, Norman’s wife, played by Jennie Hollander, is a sweet and supportive woman who proves to be a stabilizing force in the family. She, too, has her moments with Chelsea but only once does she lose her temper. She is deeply in love with Norman and it shows throughout the film. Chelsea wants to be her father's friend but doesn't know how to approach him. She also has a fear of him to overcome. Norman, a retired college professor, is an avid fisherman and he and Billy develop a genuine friendship while fishing. Billy is left at the lake with Chelsea parents for the majority of the summer while Chelsea and Bill Sr. go away on a little trip. Billy is eventually responsible for the resolution of these conflicts between father and daughter. The first act starts out slow but very comical, especially when there friend and mailman Charlie Martin, played by Michael Orberfield (director), drops by to deliver their mail and have a cup of coffee, along with some conversation. When Chelsea returns, she finds out that Norman and Billy got along great. Billy is played by Nicholas J. Pellito, a student at the local center of the arts. Chelsea and Ethel spend a lot of time together while her father spends time with Billy, which allows them to talk about the problem between herself and her father, eventually she talks to him and settles all of their problems. As Ethel and Norman are getting ready to leave, Norman suffers from a massive stroke and
nearly passes away. Yet with Ethel’s encouragement, he is able to pull through, and realize just how precious and fragile this life is.
Now for my review, the blocking was what I would expect for such a script. The set was a designed as a nice, warm, homey like summer home, with nice soft couches, plenty of books, fishing poles, and anything desired in a summer home. Lighting and sound was a well though of, lights were soft in the background and through the windows to give a horizon type of effect, and the sound was clear and crisp.
This play is about family, about love between children and parents. It’s about friendship, aging and about living and dying, A heavy load indeed. I enjoyed this play and recommend it.
Word Count: 610
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