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Health & Fitness

Goshen Players' 'On Golden Pond' - My Review

Go see this "lovely, poignant world of Golden Pond" in Goshen.

Goshen Players opened their 66th season last night with a fine production of the play On Golden Pond. Les Ober lovingly directed the production for a theatrical troupe that he calls "the epitome and meaning of what community theatre is all about." Theatre veteran Barbara O'Connell served as producer. The play that is the story of a family's dysfunction was written by Ernest Thompson and runs at the old town hall in Goshen through October 19.

I only vaguely remembered the movie version that starred Henry Fonda and his daughter Jane, so this was a new play for me. There was plenty of wry humor, but this production steered clear of becoming "warm and fuzzy" by remembering the tension and strong emotions that are inherent in the drama happening in this very old house up in Waterville, Maine in the last century.

The director writes that the old house on Golden Pond can be considered a "seventh character" in the play; the incredibly detailed set of a rustic home with lots of character was brought to life by Scenic Designer Joyce Woodward. It featured four separate areas on the large Goshen stage and the audience could never tire of looking at it. It was beautifully lit by Jack Bourque and the director. The effect of a rainy day was impressive. The wonderfully telling costumes by Judy Tringali added depth to the characters and the time period. Musical interlude selections by David Lang from Milwaukee WI also added to the ambience of the historical venue.

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The stellar cast of this production did the play justice. Torrington's Scott Stanchfield is far from 80 years old, but played much older in the leading role of the prickly Norman Thayer, Jr. Mr. Stanchfield writes that he channeled his own grandfather, whose name was actually Norman, in the role. This was the third time that I have seen this gifted actor/musician onstage in Goshen and I almost didn't recognize him at his entrance partly due to great makeup/hair by Ms. Tringali.

In the role of Norman's long suffering wife Ethel was the talented Sarah Tames. I enjoyed her performance as another Ethel in the Warner's Moon Over Buffalo and here she was perfect as she covered a big range of emotions. Goshen's Randy Sittler, in his Goshen Players debut, was great in the role of the slightly goofy but loveable mailman Charlie Martin.

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Busy actor Mike Ritts was appropriately subdued in the role of dentist/suitor Billy Ray and on opening night the role of his son was well played by Benjamin Porter. Since the show is presented cabaret style (read as with complimentary coffee, tea and finger snacks,) I had a complimentary ticket to sit at a table with the proud relatives and friends of this fine young actor as they watched him in his Goshen debut. He had warned his fans of the fact that he has some bad words in his lines, so be forewarned. Mr. Porter shares the role with Connor Picard, a student at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts and the son of the stage manager Steve Picard. He will appear on Oct. 5, 11 & 18.

For me, the highlight of the cast was Isabel Carrington in the tricky role of the couple's grown daughter Chelsea. In her Goshen Players debut, Ms. Carrington is luminous. The director of Education at the Warner Theatre in Torrington, she is what I can only describe as "a natural" onstage, meaning that she completely embodies her character effortlessly. I wasn't aware that she was to appear in this production when I booked my seat and I am so glad that I was able to catch her wonderful performance. I had heard that the role of the daughter was beefed up for Jane Fonda in the movie; Ms. Carrington did not need any accommodations to shine in the role.

There was an issue with an extended telephone conversation that didn't quite work as planned on opening night, but the actors trudged on admirably. The play runs almost three hours with a 15 minute intermission. I recommend that you go see what Ms. Tames calls "this lovely, poignant world of Golden Pond." Kudos to all involved.

Goshen Players' season continues with a staged reading of A Midsummer Night's Dream Nov. 8 through 10 and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change March 28 through April 12.


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