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Revisit the 'Golden' Years with All An Act's On Golden Pond
Decorated play explores themes of aging and unconditional love
August 11, 2023 at 7:30 AM
Contributed photo
The Oscar award-winning film adapted from the play On Golden Pond is coming to All an Act Theatre in August. With its touching themes of aging and unconditional love, On Golden Pond is sure to be a moving experience.
PREMIERES FRIDAY, AUG. 18
In 1982, the 10-time nominated On Golden Pond scooped up three Oscars — for Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. This beautiful, moving film actually had its start in the theater — as a beautiful, moving play written by Ernest Thompson (who did the adaptation of the screenplay for the movie).
And now All An Act Theater in Erie's Little Italy neighborhood is bringing the play to the stage for local audiences to enjoy. Starring Michael DeCorte, Lisa Simonian, Josh Gardner, Kerrylee Hinkson, and Chad Santos, it sees David W. Mitchell, All An Act's artistic director, doing double duty as both cast member and director.
The play follows elderly couple Norman and Ethel Thayer as they make their annual trek to a summer home on Golden Pond. For 48 years they've been coming to this house, but as sharp-tongued Norman shows early signs of dementia, including memory loss and an ailing heart, this trip could perhaps — as Norman himself points out acerbically — be their last.
Their idyllic summer peace is disrupted when his daughter Chelsea, who doesn't see eye to eye with her father, comes for a visit for Norman's 80th birthday, bringing along her new boyfriend and his teenage son. When she asks her parents to watch Billy Ray Jr. for a month while she whisks off to Europe, Norman and the child strike up a friendship, as the former teaches the latter to fish and cultivate a love of literature. Yet both Norman and Ethel gain something in return, too.
It's a classic play that has been nominated for three Tony Awards, as it deals with themes of aging and unconditional love.
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, Aug. 18 through Sept. 3 // 7:30 p.m. or 2 p.m. // All an Act Theatre, 652 W. 17th St. // $5-$18 // Tickets and info: allanact.net/now-playing