THE THEATER MIRROR, New England's LIVE Theater Guide
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MARQUEE | USHER | SEATS | INTERMISSION | CURTAIN |
Mansfield Music and Arts Society presents The New England Repertory Company's production of "On Golden Pond" which is the love story of 80 year old Norman Thayer Jr. and his wife, Ethel. They are returning to their summer home in Maine for their 48th year. It not only shows their relationship but the plot also revolves around their 42 year old daughter, Chelsea, her dentist fiancee, Bill, his smart mouth 13 year old son, Billy and Charlie, the mailman who had a crush on Chelsea in high school. Michael Duncan Smith makes his directorial debut with NERC and his cast does an astounding job in their roles. Set designer Ken Butler creates a rustic cabin set which looks realistic while Glenn Fournier did the artistic painting of it and Rachel Parkman built an actual stone fireplace for the show. Allen Conway is the stage manager while Alina Favazza handles the lighting and Evan Myers handles the sound.The Black Box theatre has been refurbished by Ken so that the sets can be larger and more elaborate. Kudos on a well acted production.
Mike Kiernan tackles the role of Norman who is a lovable curmudgeon. He does a wonderful job with his many one liners with some of the funniest scenes being his arguments with Ethel, his learning of Billy's slang phrases and the illicit sex talk with Bill. Beth Goldman is excellent as Norman's loving and doting wife. She is superb in both the comic and dramatic moments of the show. Beth has many comic sparring scenes with Mike but the two dramatic scenes are topnotch, too. The argument scene with Chelsea is electrifying and the final scene where she thinks her "old poop" is dying is poignant, too. The couple's estranged daughter, Chelsea is splendidly played by Lynn Atkins-Latham. Her argument scene with Beth is fantastic and the camp song scene with Beth lightens the mood of the show to show the closeness of mother and daughter. Lynn's tearful moments show the emotions of a woman who has grown up with a cold distant father who also wanted a son, but they finally reconcile with each other at this late moment in his life.
Brian Kelly plays Chelsea's boyfriend, Bill. Although he is only in one scene in this show, Brian does a wonderful job in this role especially when he tells the old man that he and Chelsea will be sleeping together finally standing up to the barbs that Norman flings at him. The smart aleck kid, Billy is excellently played by Petr Favazza. He delivers his comic lines beautifully especially in the bullshitting scenes, the cruising the chicks and suck face segments and in the fishing scene where he hides under the table and imitates a loon. The final member of this cast who plays Charlie, the befuddled and constantly laughing mailman is Jim Martin. The character loves to eat Ethel's muffins, drink coffee and still has a crush on Chelsea after all these years. Jim's last role was as Charles in "Blithe Spirit" where he had over 700 lines. So for a trip to Maine with some hilarious and poignant moments along the way, be sure to catch "On Golden Pond".