With news of a sequel to the film "On Golden Pond" in the works, Little Theatre of Fall River director Betty Texeira thought it would be perfect timing to bring the touching family drama to the stage.
Opening Thursday, March 14, and running through March 24, the LTFR's "On Golden Pond" features Ron Caisse, Laura Bomback, Kathleen Povar, Nishan Lawton, Chase Stilley and Lee Bonia.
Set in a summer cabin on Golden Pond, a lake in northern New England, the story follows the turbulent relationship between aging patriarch Norman Thayer and his daughter Chelsea. The 1981 film version of the play featured real-life father-daughter actors Henry and Jane Fonda in those roles with Katharine Hepburn playing Thayer’s wife. The film garnered multiple Academy Awards including Best Actor wins for Henry Fonda and Hepburn and Best Adapted Screenplay for playwright Ernest Thompson. Among other Golden Globes, it won for Best Motion Picture.
“It appeals to a wide variety of audiences,” said Texeira, adding the themes of the play include conflicts within relationships, love and aging.
Norman Thayer (Caisse) is a retired university professor who’s “a bit of an Archie Bunker type of character” who is experiencing symptoms of dementia, said Texeira.
Though worried about her husband’s declining state, his wife (Bomback) is an upbeat character who tries to help mend the strained relationship between her husband and their daughter, Chelsea (Povar).
“She feels like she never got Norman’s approval,” said Texiera of the daughter.
Chelsea returns home to celebrate Norman’s 80th birthday and to leave her fiance’s son Billy Ray Jr. (Spilley) with them while she goes off on a trip with her fiance, Billy Ray (Bonia). During her time away, Billy Ray Jr. develops the kind of relationship she sought with her father. “The message is, ‘life is too short not to mend broken relationships while there’s still time,’” said Texeira. “It’s a very uplifting story for this time of year.”
In addition to a stellar cast, Texeira said she’s especially proud of the set Ken Raposa and crew created for the production that features wooden beams, a faux stone fireplace and a hand-painted floor. “When people enter, they’re going to feel like they’ve been transported to a cabin in the Maine woods,” said Texeira.
As a director for Little Theatre, Texeira’s work includes “Over the River and Through the Woods,” “The Odd Couple,” “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” and “Catholic School Girls.”
She started performing when she was 11 years old. Most recently, she played Yenta in Little Theatre’s “Fiddler on the Roof.”
"On Golden Pond" opens at the Firebarn Theatre, 340 Prospect St., Fall River on March 14 and runs through March 24, with a total of 10 performances. Start time for the March 14, 15 and 16 performances is 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee and a 7:30 p.m. evening performance on Sunday, March 17. On the second week, performances start on Wednesday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. and continue through Saturday. The Sunday, March 24, matinee is at 2 p.m.
Single tickets are $20; students and seniors are $18. Order tickets online by credit card at littletheatre.net, or reserve tickets at 508-675-1852. Tickets are selling quickly, so do not wait to order.
"On Golden Pond" is sponsored by Bank 5 and the White Family Foundation.
Email Linda Murphy at lmurphy@heraldnews.com.