The play On Golden Pond became a huge Hollywood hit when it was converted into a film in 1981 staring actors Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn and Jane Fonda.
This week the Studio Theatre begins a two-week run of the play, written by Ernest Thompson, that is guaranteed to bring a few misty moments along with some laughter.
“The play is richly comical on the surface, universally moving below,” says director Tony Saville, who is surprised the play has never been produced by the Studio Theatre until now. “Aging is part of it, but it is about relationships and family dynamics.”
The play centres on Ethel and Norman Thayer, an aging couple who have spent every summer of their 48-year marriage at their home on a lake called Golden Pond.
This summer of Norman’s 80th birthday they are visited by daughter Chelsea with her fiancé Bill and his son Billy. The play explores the often turbulent relationship between father and daughter, and some of the difficulties faced by a couple in their twilight years. A special bond is forged between the cantankerous Norman and Billy Jr. while his father and Chelsea spend time in Europe.
The Studio Theatre cast features a nice mix of new and seasoned actors in the club, plus a set worthy of an Oscar on its own.
Brad Lawryk, while obviously a lot younger than he appears in the play, does an amazing job as Norman. This is only Lawryk’s second time on stage, but judging by the dress rehearsal Monday evening he seems to have a natural acting ability.
Lawryk made his acting debut a year ago as Charlie Boyd, the goaltender in The Good Game. For past productions he has also been involved in set building, front of house and sound design.
Sandi Alaric plays Ethel in, this, her 45th play.
Alaric says she couldn’t resist auditioning for the role of Ethel that was made famous by her hero Katharine Hepburn. Carol Burnett is also a hero, she adds.
“It’s a really good script and a marvelous cast to work with,” Alaric says, adding, “I didn’t realize there is a massive amount of lines to learn.”
Carla Friesen Martin plays the couple’s daughter Chelsea. She first joined the Studio Theatre playing Cecily Pigeon in The Odd Couple eight years ago and is sort of comfortable with the idea of stage fright.
“Chelsea doesn’t really want to be there anyway so my nervousness feeds right into the part,” Friesen Martin says of the strained relationship with her stage father.
“They’ve never gotten along. He’s always wanted a son and she’s always feeling like she’s letting him down, but their relationship isn’t as bad as she thinks it is in the end.”
Shane Tollefson plays Charlie, the local postman who has had a crush on Chelsea since they were kids.
“I’ve always carried a torch for Chelsea for years and years but it is safe to say I do not get the girl in the end,” Tollefson says.
This is Tollefson’s third time on stage, having been a player in last year’s The Good Game and in 12 Angry Men a few years ago.
Craig Smith plays Chelsea’s fiance Bill.
He has been on the Studio Theatre stage 12 times in 11 years, four times as the boyfriend, and three times directed by Tony Savile.
Smith’s acting career started in 2000 with his role as Danny Zuko in Grease.
He has also done lighting and produced a few plays as well as directed The Good Game in 2009.
Conlan Sprickerhoff plays 13-year-old Billy who forms a close bond with Norman despite their age and personality differences. The son of veteran Studio Theatre members Sheryl-Lynn Lewis and Curt Sprickerhoff, Conlan couldn’t help but catch the theatre bug.
He has taken on three plays since September, the last two at the same time.
In addition to playing Billy in On Golden Pond, he played a gang member in the Squaw Hall Project’s production of Damned if You Do. What if You Don’t? on stage at the Gibraltar Room last week.
“The rehearsals were at different times and I had these lines (On Golden Pond) down for a couple of weeks before taking the other role,” Conlan explains.
Last fall Conlan also appeared in the colourful Studio Theatre musical production of Just So. In addition to theatre he enjoys a wide variety of sports.
On Golden Pond is on the Studio Theatre stage March 30 to April 2 and April 6 to 9 next week.
Tickets are available at About Face Photography.