Growing old. It’s such a delightful time. The kids are grown and out of the house, and you can be as crochety as you want. Or, if you were always crochety, you can be even more so. I’m sure we all know old folks like this (we might even be them): the old man, crochety and ready to help you put your foot in your mouth and chew vigorousy; the old woman, sweetness and light, baking cookies. Such a typical picture. But pretty? That depends.
I mention this because last night we went to REP East in Newhall to see their latest production, “On Golden Pond”. Most of us know this story from the classic 1981 film by Mark Rydell starring Henry Fonda, Katherine Hepburn, and Jane Fonda, but the property was originally a 1979 play by Ernest Thompson. The play takes place at a fictional location (Golden Pond) in Maine, where Norman and Ethel Thayer have a summer cottage they visit every year. The play takes place during their 48th visit in 1979, and takes place over the summer. It starts in May, when the couple arrive and open the cottage. We see how Ethel is full of life, but Norman is crotchety and feeling his mortality. By June, they have settled into the cottage. Norman is looking for a job, but it is clear he is losing his faculties and is starting to have what we now know is Altzheimers. We learn about the locals, including Charlie Martin, who brings news that their daughter, Chelsea, will be arriving later that summer with her boyfriend. In July, Chelsea arrives with her boyfriend Bill and his 14-year-old son, Billy. We learn about the love between mother and daughter, but the tension between Norman and Chelsea. Ethel convinces Norman to let the boy, Billy, stay with them while Chelsea and Bill go to Europe. Act 2 opens in August, where Billy and Norman have become fishing buddies. Chelsea returns, and reveals that she and Bill got married in Brussels, while going on and on about the past. Ethel grows impatient with this, especially with Chelsea’s dispute with her father. After a butting of heads, Chelsea and her father reconcile to an extent. The last scene of the play takes place in September as Norman and Ethel are closing up the cottage. Chelsea calls and invites her parents to visit her in California. Ethel is eager, but Norman is reluctant to go… until he realizes he can spend time with Billy.
Reading this, I think you can see why the movie was cast so perfectly. Pulling this off requires the right mix of young and old, of sweetness and crotchety. Luckily, the REP continued its trend of casting well. In the lead positions were Michael Levine (a REP regular) and Nancy B. Berggren (a REP newcomer). Michael played the old and crotchety very well, which (if you’ve ever met him) is truly playing against his normal character. Nancy embodied the grandmother role, making you want to try her tollhouse cookies. These were two you just enjoyed watching. The daughter, Chelsea, was portrayed by Therese Lentz, who had the character fire to stand up to Norman, but at times you could see her for the vulnerable little girl that she was. Billy, her soon-to-be step-son, was played by Zachary Kemper. Rounding out the cast were Chuck Franklin as Bill Ray and Brantley M. Dunaway as Charlie Martin. I want to mention Brantley in particular, for although Charlie is a small role, he played it in an interesting manner, coming across as almost slightly Asbergers, unable to control his outburst and seemingly uncomfortable socially. I don’t know if the character was written that way, or whether that was a director’s choice.
Rick Culbertson wrote recently about the difference between good and bad theatre, and quality and cheap theatre. He talked about the perception of 99-seat theatre as being cheap. “On Golden Pond” demonstrated that this need not be the case: although an 81-seat theatre, the REP’s technical quality was excellent as always, thanks to the supurb technical team of Jeff Hyde (Set Designer), Tim Christianson (Lighting Designer), Steven “Nanook” Burkholder (Sound Designer), and Paula Soltero (Costumes). The set was beautifully dressed, playing the part of a rustic cabin with 48 years of momentos; the lighting was effective and not overdone, conveying the mood well; the sound effects were appropriate and timely (including the railroad in the background :-)); and the costumes captured Maine-style well.
The production was directed by Barry Kemper and Bonnie Bennett-Millner, who did a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life and moving them effectively on stage. The production stage manager was Johnny Schwinn. The production was produced by O. Michael Owston and Mikee Schwinn (who is in the last throws of bachelorhood, getting married within the month).
“On Golden Pond” continues at REP East in Newhall until April 10, 2010. Tickets are available from the REP East Box Office (or by calling (661) 288-0000), or through Goldstar Events. The next REP East production is “12 Angry Men”, running from April 23 through May 2, 2010.
Upcoming Theatre. As for us, what’s upcoming on the theatre calendar? This evening brings another installment of “Meeting of Minds” — this will be the second episode with Karl Marx (Ed Asner), Sir Thomas More (Bruce Davison), Queen Marie Antoinette (Meeghan Holaway), and President US Grant (Dan Lauria). You can get a peak of the episode by listening to an interview with Asner and Lauria about the show. The last weekend of March has no theatre, but is still busy: there’s a Games Day on March 27, and Rick Recht is doing a free concert at TAS on March 28. April brings more of interest, starting with “Jacques Brel is Alive and Living in Paris” at the Colony Theatre on Friday, April 16; “Damn Yankees” at Van Nuys HS on April 17, and the April installment of “Meeting of Minds” at the Steve Allen Theatre on April 18. The following weekend takes me to “12 Angry Men” on April 24 (the rest of the family sees it on May 2). May looks to be equally busy, with “Little Shop of Horrors at Cabrillo Music Theatre (May 1), and “12 Angry Men” for Karen and Erin on May 2 @ 2pm (while I get ready for a Games Night at Temple that I’m running). The weekend of May 8 sees Karen and me at the So Cal Ren Faire on Saturday, with “See What I Wanna See” at the Blank (likely May 9, pending ticketing). The weekend of May 15 sees the CDF Conference for Karen and Erin, followed by “The 39 Steps” at the Ahmanson (likely May 15, evening, pending ticketing). The next weekend takes Erin to the Ren Faire, while we see the May installment of “Meeting of Minds” at the Steve Allen Theatre (May 16). The fourth weekend in May brings the Spring Dance Show at Van Nuys HS (May 20-22). The last weekend in May brings the Bat Mitzvah of a family friend, as well as “The Wedding Singer” at Repertory East Playhouse in Newhall (May 30 @ 2pm).
As always: live theatre is a gift and a unique experience, unlike a movie. It is vitally important in these times that you support your local arts institutions. If you can afford to go to the movies, you can afford to go to theatre. If you need help finding ways, just drop me a note and I’ll teach you some tricks. Lastly, I’ll note that nobody paid me anything to write this review. In fact, I receive no remuneration for any reviews I write.