Marilyn Moore as Ethel & Don Hampton as Norman in “On Golden Pond”
PHOTO: Michael Pittman Images

[ Editor’s Note: Click any photo to enlarge ]

There was a special kind of warmth and intimacy coming across the footlights when director, Jim Walker, stepped out on the Crighton Theatre stage last Saturday night to speak with great affection about the cast and crew of his very marvelous new Stage Right Production of Ernest Thompson’s touching play, ON GOLDEN POND. That same warmth, intimacy and great affection would soon permeate the heartwarming and marvelous performance of the play that followed. It would be a memorable night of theatre with a memorable cast to match the fine direction of Mr. Walker. Score another winner for producers, Steven & Carolyn Wong.

This charming tale tells the story of the Thayers, an elderly couple opening up their cozy Maine cottage “on Golden Pond,” for yet another of the many summers they have enjoyed there for forty-eight years. Norman (Don Hampton) is about to become an octogenarian, and the years have begun to steal a bit of his memory while replacing it with a cranky and cantankerous disposition. This is a strain for his perky and optimistic wife, Ethel (Marilyn Moore), whose cheerful nature is the very opposite of his own. With curling lip and sneering expression, Norman grumbles about everything from the latest major league baseball news to the rickety screen door that keeps falling off its hinges. Ethel counters with good cheer as she dusts and sweeps the long-closed cottage, and admires the diving and singing of the returning loons that are visible out on the pond. With lines like, “You’re the sweetest man in the world, and I’m the only one who knows it,” we can sense that it is Ethel’s patience, understanding and joie de vivre that have allowed this longstanding marriage to survive the occasional bickering her husband so often provokes. It must be said that both Mr. Hampton and Ms. Moore have really “nailed” their rich characterizations of Norman and Ethel, and their very different ways of coping with old age. These talented actors make the characters very much their own, but on some level the elegance of their performance seems almost to be channeling the spirits of Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn who passed into cinematic legend playing these same parts in the 1981 film that garnered Best Actor & Actress Oscars for them, and a third for Mr. Thompson’s screenplay. Thanks to the comic wit of the play’s fine script, the relationship of Norman and Ethel is great fun to watch, in addition to being central to the plot.

The cast of “On Golden Pond”
PHOTO: Michael Pittman Images

But the couple is not always alone as several other interesting characters visit the cottage.

Charlie the mailman arrives. (Allen Dorris at right)
PHOTO: Michael Pittman Images

Allen Dorris plays Charlie, the jolly local mailman who arrives by boat to make his deliveries of both mail and merriment. Mr. Dorris brings an infectious laugh and comic skill to his amusing performance.

Jennifer Hennessy Marshall as the Switchboard Operator
PHOTO: Michael Pittman Images

Another character adding levity to the piece is the nutty and snorting switchboard operator (Jennifer Hennessy Marshall) who casually handles phone call connections for this rural community while chewing gum and manicuring her nails.

Chelsea (Kim Bryant at left) visits Mom & Dad
PHOTO: Michael Pittman Images

Next we meet the Thayer’s 42 year-old daughter, Chelsea (Kim Bryant), who lives in California and is somewhat estranged from her parents because she and her father have never seen eye to eye. Ms. Bryant gives a sensitive performance as a daughter hoping for reconciliation.

Bill (Jim King at left) meets Norman (Don Hampton)
PHOTO: Michael Pittman Images

Chelsea is engaged to Bill Ray (Jim King), a dentist who is amusingly ill at ease in meeting Chelsea’s parents for the first time.

Billy (Ian Montez) prepares the fishing gear.
PHOTO: Michael Pittman Images

He has a feisty teenaged son, Billy Jr. (Ian Montez) who has a knack for getting reclusive Norman out of his shell as they go off together on local fishing expeditions. I recall describing young Mr. Montez as “adorable” when I reviewed his performance in the 2009 production of “Cheaper by the Dozen.” He’s still very cute here, and brightens up the stage with terrific acting and a winning personality.

Speaking of the stage, Jill Villalobos acts as Stage Manager, while Mr. Hampton’s lovely cottage interior set design serves as home to all this action and was beautifully constructed by Master Carpenter, Dennis O’Connor. The sound designs of Melody Montez, the effective lighting of Roger Ormiston, and the costume designs of Marieda Kilgore were all additional elements making this show a must for those seeking a really satisfying experience in the theatre. Don’t miss it!

ON GOLDEN POND continues through September 27, 2015 with Friday & Saturday performances at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m., all at the beautiful Crighton Theatre, 234 N. Main St. in Conroe. (Prices are $20 adults, $18 for seniors and groups of 15 or more, $15 for youngsters 16 and under, and senior groups of 12 or more persons). For tickets and information call 936-441-7469 or visit the website at www.stage-right.org