On Golden Pond
Encyclopedia
On Golden Pond is a 1979 play by Ernest Thompson. The plot focuses on aging couple Ethel and Norman Thayer, who spend each summer at their home on a lake called Golden Pond. During the year the story takes place, they are visited by daughter Chelsea with her fiancé and his son in tow. The play explores the often turbulent relationship the young woman shared with her father growing up, and the difficulties faced by a couple in the twilight years of a long marriage.
Norman and Ethel arrive at the summer house, finding it in need of repairs. There are hints that Norman is having problems with his memory.
Norman makes a nominal effort to find a job in the classified ads, to Ethel's chagrin. The mailman, Charlie, stops by and reminisces about the Thayer's daughter, Chelsea, whom he used to date. A letter arrives from Chelsea saying that she is coming from California with her boyfriend Bill to celebrate Norman's 80th birthday. It becomes clearer that Norman is struggling with memory loss, as he continues to forget names and places that should be familiar.
Chelsea arrives with Billy Ray and his 13-year-old son, Billy Ray Jr. Chelsea asks her parents if Billy Jr. can stay with them while she and Billy go to Europe. Norman (a bit reluctantly) and Ethel agree to keep Billy Jr.
Norman and Billy Jr. have become friends, and spend much of their time fishing. Chelsea returns, and reveals that she and Billy are now married. Ethel shows her impatience with Chelsea's habit of bitterly harping on the past. Chelsea confronts her father about their troubled relationship, and the two have a reconciliation.
Norman and Ethel are packing to leave for the winter. Chelsea calls, and they agree to go visit her in California. Norman seems to suffer a heart attack, (whilst picking up a box of Ethel's mother's heavy china) but recovers, and the pair leave Golden Pond.
production, directed by Craig Anderson, set and costume design by Steven Rubin, and lighting design by Craig Miller. It opened on February 28, 1979 at the New Apollo Theatre, where it ran for 126 performances. The cast was Tom Aldredge
(Norman Thayer Jr.), Frances Sternhagen
(Ethel Thayer), Ronn Carroll (Charlie Martin), Barbara Andres (Chelsea Thayer Wayne), Mark Bendo (Billy Ray), and Stan Lachow (Bill Ray). After a summer break, it reopened with the same cast on September 12 at the Century Theatre, a small playhouse in the basement of the Paramount Hotel, where it ran for an additional 256 performances.
After nineteen previews, a Broadway revival with an African American
cast directed by Leonard Foglia and produced by Jeffrey Finn
opened on April 7, 2005 at the Cort Theatre
, where it ran for 93 performances. James Earl Jones
and Leslie Uggams
headed the cast. Jones, who often was ill during the run, eventually was diagnosed with pneumonia
, forcing the production to a sudden close.
Michael Learned
and Tom Bosley
starred in a 2006-07 US national tour produced by Finn.
written by Thompson in 1981.
The film On Golden Pond
was released in December of 1981, directed by Mark Rydell & produced by Bruce Gilbert with Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn and Jane Fonda in the starring cast.
In 2001, CBS
aired a live television adaptation
of the play that was heavily publicized in the press due to the reunion of former Sound of Music
stars Julie Andrews
and Christopher Plummer
in the lead roles. It also starred Glenne Headly
.
2005 production
Scene 1
MayNorman and Ethel arrive at the summer house, finding it in need of repairs. There are hints that Norman is having problems with his memory.
Scene 2
JuneNorman makes a nominal effort to find a job in the classified ads, to Ethel's chagrin. The mailman, Charlie, stops by and reminisces about the Thayer's daughter, Chelsea, whom he used to date. A letter arrives from Chelsea saying that she is coming from California with her boyfriend Bill to celebrate Norman's 80th birthday. It becomes clearer that Norman is struggling with memory loss, as he continues to forget names and places that should be familiar.
Scene 3
JulyChelsea arrives with Billy Ray and his 13-year-old son, Billy Ray Jr. Chelsea asks her parents if Billy Jr. can stay with them while she and Billy go to Europe. Norman (a bit reluctantly) and Ethel agree to keep Billy Jr.
Scene 1
AugustNorman and Billy Jr. have become friends, and spend much of their time fishing. Chelsea returns, and reveals that she and Billy are now married. Ethel shows her impatience with Chelsea's habit of bitterly harping on the past. Chelsea confronts her father about their troubled relationship, and the two have a reconciliation.
Scene 2
SeptemberNorman and Ethel are packing to leave for the winter. Chelsea calls, and they agree to go visit her in California. Norman seems to suffer a heart attack, (whilst picking up a box of Ethel's mother's heavy china) but recovers, and the pair leave Golden Pond.
Productions
After five previews, the first BroadwayBroadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
production, directed by Craig Anderson, set and costume design by Steven Rubin, and lighting design by Craig Miller. It opened on February 28, 1979 at the New Apollo Theatre, where it ran for 126 performances. The cast was Tom Aldredge
Tom Aldredge
Thomas Ernest "Tom" Aldredge was an American television, film and stage actor.-Life and career:Aldredge was born in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Lucienne Juliet and W. J. Aldredge, a colonel in the United States Army Air Corps...
(Norman Thayer Jr.), Frances Sternhagen
Frances Sternhagen
Frances Hussey Sternhagen is an American actress. Sternhagen has appeared on and off Broadway, in movies, and on TV since the 1950s.-Personal life:...
(Ethel Thayer), Ronn Carroll (Charlie Martin), Barbara Andres (Chelsea Thayer Wayne), Mark Bendo (Billy Ray), and Stan Lachow (Bill Ray). After a summer break, it reopened with the same cast on September 12 at the Century Theatre, a small playhouse in the basement of the Paramount Hotel, where it ran for an additional 256 performances.
After nineteen previews, a Broadway revival with an African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
cast directed by Leonard Foglia and produced by Jeffrey Finn
Jeffrey Finn
Jeffrey Finn is a theatrical producer notable for his work on Broadway, national tours, and corporate entertainment.-Theatre:...
opened on April 7, 2005 at the Cort Theatre
Cort Theatre
The Cort Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 138 West 48th Street in the Theatre District of midtown Manhattan in New York City...
, where it ran for 93 performances. James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones is an American actor. He is well-known for his distinctive bass voice and for his portrayal of characters of substance, gravitas and leadership...
and Leslie Uggams
Leslie Uggams
Leslie Uggams is an American actress and singer, perhaps best known for her work in Hallelujah, Baby! She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.-Singing:...
headed the cast. Jones, who often was ill during the run, eventually was diagnosed with pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
, forcing the production to a sudden close.
Michael Learned
Michael Learned
Michael Learned is an American actress known for her role as Olivia Walton on The Waltons.-Personal life:Learned was born in Washington, D.C., the daughter of Elizabeth Duane "Betti" and Bruce Learned, a diplomat. Her maternal grandfather was an attaché for the United States Embassy in Rome...
and Tom Bosley
Tom Bosley
Thomas Edward "Tom" Bosley was an American actor. Bosley is best known for portraying Howard Cunningham on the long-running ABC sitcom Happy Days. He also was featured in recurring roles on Murder, She Wrote, and Father Dowling Mysteries...
starred in a 2006-07 US national tour produced by Finn.
Adaptations
The play was adapted for the screenOn Golden Pond (1981 film)
On Golden Pond is a 1981 American drama film directed by Mark Rydell. The screenplay by Ernest Thompson was adapted from his 1979 play of the same title. Henry Fonda won the Academy Award in what was his final film role. Co-star Katharine Hepburn also received an Oscar, as did Thompson for his...
written by Thompson in 1981.
The film On Golden Pond
On Golden Pond (1981 film)
On Golden Pond is a 1981 American drama film directed by Mark Rydell. The screenplay by Ernest Thompson was adapted from his 1979 play of the same title. Henry Fonda won the Academy Award in what was his final film role. Co-star Katharine Hepburn also received an Oscar, as did Thompson for his...
was released in December of 1981, directed by Mark Rydell & produced by Bruce Gilbert with Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn and Jane Fonda in the starring cast.
In 2001, CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
aired a live television adaptation
On Golden Pond (2001 film)
On Golden Pond is a 2001 television adaptation of the play starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The movie originally aired on April 29, 2001 and was promoted as a live television event...
of the play that was heavily publicized in the press due to the reunion of former Sound of Music
The Sound of Music (film)
Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music is a 1965 American musical film directed by Robert Wise and starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The film is based on the Broadway musical The Sound of Music, with songs written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, and with the musical...
stars Julie Andrews
Julie Andrews
Dame Julia Elizabeth Andrews, DBE is an English film and stage actress, singer, and author. She is the recipient of Golden Globe, Emmy, Grammy, BAFTA, People's Choice Award, Theatre World Award, Screen Actors Guild and Academy Award honors...
and Christopher Plummer
Christopher Plummer
Arthur Christopher Orne Plummer, CC is a Canadian theatre, film and television actor. He made his film debut in 1957's Stage Struck, and notable early film performances include Night of the Generals, The Return of the Pink Panther and The Man Who Would Be King.In a career that spans over five...
in the lead roles. It also starred Glenne Headly
Glenne Headly
Glenne Aimee Headly is an American actress of film, stage and television.-Early life:Glenne Headly was born in New London, Connecticut and her first years were spent living under the care of her mother in San Francisco and her maternal grandmother in Pennsylvania...
.
Nominations
1979 production- Tony AwardTony AwardThe Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
for Best Actress in a Play (Sternhagen) - Drama Desk AwardDrama Desk AwardThe Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
for Outstanding New Play - Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play (Aldredge)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play (Sternhagen)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design
- 1979 Selection, The Burns Mantle Theater Yearbook, The Best Plays of 1978-1979
2005 production
- Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (Jones)