The Phoenix Theatre’s presentation of “On Golden Pond” is as lovely as a summer walk in the woods.
This production begins with an absolute perfect rendition of Ethel and Norman Thayer’s home on Golden Pond. The set is so much a character in this story and set designer Dick Floyd knew this.
With that knowledge and his polished skill at set construction, Floyd crafted a cabinlike environment down to the minutest of details such as sun hats hanging on pegs waiting to be worn and fish-shaped candle holders resting on the fireplace mantle.
The Thayers’ beloved lake house on Golden Pond is central to their lives. It has been their refuge, their annual summer retreat, their perfect getaway place.
Now that Norman is turning 80 and has a heart condition — along with a persistent forgetfulness — this may be the Thayers’ last visit to Golden Pond. That is the elephant in the room that no one wants to see.
On the other hand, Norman is obsessed with his own death, making joke after joke, the punch lines popping like a sizzling camp fire.
Norm’s behavior ebbs and flows from the exceptionally sarcastic to the almost diabolical. He’s part Henry Fonda, part Dennis Hopper.
And this is not a bad thing for actor John Klise, who flows right along with Norman’s twists and turns and makes Norman a most fascinating character to watch. Klise causes us discomfort at times but also causes us to spasm with laughter.
Klise is joined on stage by the ever reliable and remarkably talented Melanie Calderwood as Ethel.
Calderwood plays a woman who is in it for the long haul. She knows her husband tends to alienate people — even their daughter — and can be mean, even bigoted. But she is the steadfast wife who loves him regardless and tosses back any malarkey he throws her way.
The complexity of these two lives and the relationship they have with daughter, Chelsea, played solidly by Phoenix newcomer Jennifer Michael, is drawn out in dialogue as textured as an heirloom quilt, exposing past pain and lost opportunities.
When Chelsea visits with her new boyfriend, Bill Ray, portrayed skillfully by David Bailey, and his son, Billy Ray, delightfully done by Phoenix newcomer Matthew Glazener, all the players must suffer through some new terrain.
Humor goes a long way in this show, mending the generational gap between the Thayers and Billy Ray and the rift between father and daughter. Even in the final scenes, Norman continues to crack wise after collapsing on the floor clutching his chest.
The couple sit together on the floor during this last scene, leaning against the sofa and against each other. They have weathered season after season together and as they say goodbye to Golden Pond with the approaching fall, Norman tells Ethel to leave behind the book he started. He’ll read it next summer.
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