Stage Review - On Golden Pond (Port Gamble Theatre)
Stage Review - On Golden Pond
Presented By: Port Gamble Theatre - Port Gamble, WA
Show Run: April 12 - April 28, 2024
Date Reviewed: Thursday, April 11, 2024 (Final Preview)
Reviewed By: Greg Heilman
On Golden Pond. For many of us, those three words paint a certain picture in our heads, one of two aging parents dealing with the inevitability of their getting older, while also coming to grips with their daughter’s life choices, set against the backdrop of a rustic cabin on a lake in Maine. Most certainly, the image refers to the 1981 film, directed by Mark Rydell and starring Henry Fonda as Norman Thayer, Jr., the aging patriarch who seems to be losing touch with some of his faculties, Katherine Hepburn as his long suffering wife Ethel, Jane Fonda as daughter Chelsea, and Dabney Coleman as Chelsea’s new beau, dentist Dr. Bill Ray. It’s a classic for sure, nominated for ten Academy Awards, with Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn winning for their roles. What many don’t know, and by many I suppose I’m predominantly thinking of me, is that before it was a movie, On Golden Pond was a play. Published in 1979 by Ernest Thompson, the stage version opened on Broadway the same year, has had a few revivals since then, and is currently on he regional and community theater circuit. The latest production of On Golden Pond is currently running on stage at the Port Gamble Theatre through April 28, is directed by Gwen Mansfield, and features Gerry Thom as husband Norman and Becky Eastgard as his wife Ethel.
The play is set primarily in the living room of the Thayer cabin on Golden Pond, and takes place over one season, or more specifically five months, beginning in May upon Norman and Ethel’s opening of the cabin for the season, and ending in September, when it’s time to get the cabin sealed up for the winter. When you consider a story that is relatively known, one of the things I look for is if the telling of it captures the emotional energy of what was intended by the author. This is, at its core, a love story, the story of Norman and Ethel and their reconciliation with aging, and the fact that all of their friends and most of their acquaintances have passed, leaving them largely alone. Add to this their daughter Chelsea and, at least to them, her questionable life choices, and there’s the overwhelming feeling that they are entering their later years with a lot of things in their lives in an unsettled state. In fact, as the story starts, and the pair enter the cabin, their lives, especially Norman’s, seem confused, disorganized, and broken. Things in the cabin are breaking, Norman isn’t remembering what he did five minutes ago, and Ethel is trying her best to keep him and their relationship together mentally and emotionally. All of this changes, though, when Chelsea comes to visit for Norman’s 80th birthday, and in tow brings boyfriend Bill (“the dentist”), along with his child from a previous marriage, Billy Ray, Jr. The audience gets the idea that Norman is your typical grumpy old man and that Ethel is his rock, and with a positive attitude and good heart, she’s the perfect counter. Norman’s personality, characterized by one-liners and an overabundance of thoughts of his own demise, seems to get even more so as he realizes the effects that his aging is having on him. When Chelsea arrives, the contentious relationship that she and her father seem to have always had comes to a head, and while the older Bill tries to make nice with Norman, the cards are stacked against him. However, when Chelsea asks her parents if they’d be willing to watch Billy while she heads to Europe with her dentist, that’s when things start to change, as Billy is the salve that Norman seems to have needed. And while the rest of the play is largely about the relationship that Norman and Billy build and the impact is has on, well, both of them, in the end it comes down to the enduring love of a couple and their growing old together.
The simple answer to the question I asked myself earlier is a resounding “yes”. Yes, this production of On Golden Pond captures all of the humor, the heart, the sadness, and the hope for enduring love that I hoped it would. But what’s more is the reactions from audience members that weren’t previously familiar with the story prior to the preview performance we collectively attended. Hearing the laughter, seeing the tears being wiped away, and feeling the overwhelming rush of emotion from this audience proves that it’s not just a story for those hoping for a bit of nostalgia, but rather it’s a show that conveys our humanity in the best possible way and one that can be enjoyed by anyone, and I would recommend that it be seen by everyone. As the story is all about Norman and Ethel, the work is mostly done here by Gerry Thom and Becky Eastgard. I will say right off that Gerry is stupendous. The way he captures the grumpy Norman becoming even more so at the prospect of getting older, is done with pinpoint accuracy. Of course, don’t tell Gerry’s Norman he’s getting older, though it’s clear deep down he knows it, and that’s what scares him the most. It’s this kind of complexity in the character and the presentation of it where Gerry shines. The times when Norman is confident, or confused, or standoffish, or loving, all of these are managed in a way that underscores this layered performance. Gerry steals the show, but he couldn’t do that without Becky and her Ethel as the foundation on which their relationship is built. Becky’s Ethel always tries to maintain a positive attitude, but at the same time isn’t afraid to call Norman out if he needs a bit of an attitude adjustment. As I said earlier, Ethel has a good heart, she clearly loves her husband with all of it, and they both realize that without his wife, Norman would flounder. Behind every good man has never meant more, and Becky’s characterization accentuates that.
Jennifer Pippin plays daughter Chelsea, Kyle Addy is dentist Bill, and young Quinn Morehead is Billy. Each of these actors is good in their supporting roles, and while Jennifer and Kyle don’t have a great deal of stage time, their roles are imperative to the telling, Jennifer especially good in Act 2 when she comes face to face with her father to challenge their relationship. Quinn as the emotional disruptor in Norman’s life is also very good, but the highlight in the supporting cast has to be Brian Guy as Charlie, mailman and friend to all. Charlie has always had a soft spot for Chelsea as well, though for any number of reasons that never worked out. Brian’s Charlie is funny, but he’s also got an underlying sadness that, if I was to psychoanalyze the character, he uses that humor to cover up. Brian does a really nice job with the character, and his laugh is out of this world.
This production of On Golden Pond is a very well told story, and in addition to the cast, the other star here is the design. Bradley Camp and Gwen Mansfield have outdone themselves with the quality of the set. It’s striking and so well captures the spirit of the show, with its rustic decor and appointments, it looks and feels like a cabin in the woods. The entire creative team here, including Paul Bryan (lighting), Scott Snively (sound), and Beth Anne Galloway (costumes), come together to present Gwen’s vision and truly bring the audience into the story. As a fan of the film, and the underlying story, this telling of On Golden Pond exceeds all of my expectations.
The Port Gamble Theatre production of On Golden Pond may be a nostalgic trip down memory lane for those who are familiar with the story through the Henry Fonda/Katherine Hepburn film, but whether or not you have an affinity toward the story from the movie, or if it is new to you, this love story about a couple growing old together while facing down the effects of aging and at the same time learning to accept their daughter’s choices is a pleasant surprise, and if there weren’t enough other reasons to spend a Spring evening or afternoon in Port Gamble, you could add On Golden Pond to that list, but there’s no need as it clearly stands on its own merits, regardless of where it’s playing.
On Golden Pond runs on stage at the Port Gamble Theatre through April 28. For more information, including ticket availability and purchase, visit https://portgambletheater.com/.
