On Golden Pond is remembered for the 1981 movie starring father and daughter Henry and Jane Fonda and Katharine Hepburn. Adopted from the 1979 play by Ernest Thompson, the film and the play feature a summer on the eponymous lake, the 48th summer for the Thayer couple. Norman, a retired professor, is battling the accumulation of illnesses that come with age while his wife Ethel, copes by remembering previous visits, singing with the loons and picking strawberries.
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| Henry Gannaway (L) as Billy Ray Jr. and Michael Weaver (R) as Norman. |
The situation is complicated with the arrival of Chelsea, the estranged daughter of Normal and Ethel, with her new boyfriend and his son Billy.
Little Theatre on the Square is one of those treasures of small town America. A part-equity theatre, it exists on the county square of Shelby County, Illinois in an old movie theatre, repurposed for live theater. This venue has been thrown-about as a must see for me for decades.
With a build-up like that it would be easy to disappoint.
It did not disappoint. It delighted me.
Due to technical difficulties (#ahem Xfinity) my review was delayed. My apologies.
Michael Weaver entered a wonderful set by Michael Mason, dragging his feet, walking with that peculiar gait indicating old age. He is Norman Thayer in a splendid performance. He is forgetful, breaks things by accident, is onery and delightful.
Ethel Thayer is played by Glory Kissel in a performance matching Weaver’s. She faces out to the audience in rapture of the song of the loons, singing with them and reminding us of the wise women of our lives.
The third actor I want to mention is Henry Gannaway as Billy Ray Jr. The bio reports that Henry is a 7th grade student at St. Anthony Grade School in Effingham. Despite this, the young Henry has already appeared in at least five productions. His contributions as a wise-cracking teen add an essential element to the “problem” of the play, which is will Norman and Chelsea patch their relationship? Henry starts a bit flat in his first scene, which may have been a directing call, but soon adopts and wears the clothes of Billy Jr. with full and great effect.Glory Kissel as Ethel.
LTOS is a beautiful venue with comfortable seating and good sight lines. The sound system for this performance was flawless, the costume designs by Beth Staff were evocative. The play all takes place in a single space and it was well designed.
So why wasn’t there a near sell-out? Is it because of the location of Sullivan? A town on the edge of Amish country? I don’t know. More support is needed to retain this treasure. Does a 45 year-old play about family estrangement and reconnection still work? Yes. For me, the 1970 and 1980 period, a time before the internet was in each of our pockets, is still relevant. Give Director Mary Catherine Redmon the key to the city.
On Golden Pond written by Ernest Thompson.
First performed at the New Apollo Theatre in February 1979.
Little Theatre On The Square
16 E Harrison St., Sullivan, IL 61951. (54 miles from the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts).
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Tickets: $40.
Directed by Mary Catherine Redmon.
Run ended.
Reviewed by: Patrick Boylan.
All credits: Little Theatre on the Square.
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