Published: Friday, June 11, 2010
Director seeks a wider audience for ‘On Golden Pond'
After meeting author Ernest Thompson, director Tim Rarick knew that “On Golden Pond” had to be presented with a hard edge.
That way, Thompson's story about this dysfunctional family would more closely mirror what real families experience.
“Thompson never wanted it to be syrupy and sweet, and oftentimes that play is done that way,” Rarick said. “We tried very much to eliminate that, to really get at the conflicts that exist in any family situation.”
In the end, Rarick said, this version of “On Golden Pond,” which opens tonight at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, is one that has universal appeal, even to younger audiences who might otherwise disregard this wonderful story as a show for old folks.
“We've accomplished making it a little more edgy,” Rarick said in a phone interview. “And we haven't robbed it of its humor.”
“On Golden Pond” is the poignant tale about love, aging and a family on the brink of change.
It's set in a cottage on a New England lake, where the cranky Norman Thayer returns each summer with his wife of 48 years, Ethel.
As he approaches 80, Norman realizes that his mind is going and that time is against him. He lashes out with ascorbic wit and sometimes hurtful sarcasm, as Ethel continues to love him, without backing down.
The Thayers' togetherness is interrupted when their estranged daughter and her fiance drop off the man's 13-year-old son, Billy Ray, for the summer.
The boy at first is a snot-nosed smart aleck, but as time goes by, he changes into more of the grandchild the Thayers have longed for.
As the summer wanes, the unspoken question hangs heavily in the air: Will there be another summer at Golden Pond?
The young Billy Ray, played by Jack Hood, is a significant character, a testament to what can happen when a bad boy gets the right environment and a little love, Rarick said.
“He's real enough,” Rarick said. “This is not an old folks story.”
Equally significant is Norman, played here by actor Ed Cornachio, a veteran of almost 50 stage productions, including Willie Loman in “Death of a Salesman” and the Rev. Casey in “Grapes of Wrath.”
Cornachio plays Norman wonderfully as a sarcastic curmudgeon who knows things are falling apart, Rarick said.
“He's very witty and funny,” Rarick said. “He's got a lot of prejudices too, and most of that is a mask for a guy who is really struggling to tie things together.”
What audiences will love about this version of “Golden Pond” is the transformation each character makes on this journey through a significant summer.
As Rarick said, “each of the characters are on the precipice of a big change in their lives.”
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
That way, Thompson's story about this dysfunctional family would more closely mirror what real families experience.
“Thompson never wanted it to be syrupy and sweet, and oftentimes that play is done that way,” Rarick said. “We tried very much to eliminate that, to really get at the conflicts that exist in any family situation.”
In the end, Rarick said, this version of “On Golden Pond,” which opens tonight at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, is one that has universal appeal, even to younger audiences who might otherwise disregard this wonderful story as a show for old folks.
“We've accomplished making it a little more edgy,” Rarick said in a phone interview. “And we haven't robbed it of its humor.”
“On Golden Pond” is the poignant tale about love, aging and a family on the brink of change.
It's set in a cottage on a New England lake, where the cranky Norman Thayer returns each summer with his wife of 48 years, Ethel.
As he approaches 80, Norman realizes that his mind is going and that time is against him. He lashes out with ascorbic wit and sometimes hurtful sarcasm, as Ethel continues to love him, without backing down.
The Thayers' togetherness is interrupted when their estranged daughter and her fiance drop off the man's 13-year-old son, Billy Ray, for the summer.
The boy at first is a snot-nosed smart aleck, but as time goes by, he changes into more of the grandchild the Thayers have longed for.
As the summer wanes, the unspoken question hangs heavily in the air: Will there be another summer at Golden Pond?
The young Billy Ray, played by Jack Hood, is a significant character, a testament to what can happen when a bad boy gets the right environment and a little love, Rarick said.
“He's real enough,” Rarick said. “This is not an old folks story.”
Equally significant is Norman, played here by actor Ed Cornachio, a veteran of almost 50 stage productions, including Willie Loman in “Death of a Salesman” and the Rev. Casey in “Grapes of Wrath.”
Cornachio plays Norman wonderfully as a sarcastic curmudgeon who knows things are falling apart, Rarick said.
“He's very witty and funny,” Rarick said. “He's got a lot of prejudices too, and most of that is a mask for a guy who is really struggling to tie things together.”
What audiences will love about this version of “Golden Pond” is the transformation each character makes on this journey through a significant summer.
As Rarick said, “each of the characters are on the precipice of a big change in their lives.”
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
Story tags »
• Theater • Langley • Whidbey Island“On Golden Pond”
Opens at 7:30 tonight at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, 565 Camano Ave., Langley.
Shows are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through June 26.
Tickets are $16, $14 and $12. Call 360-221-8268 or 800-638-7631 or go to www.WICAonline.com.
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