“On Golden Pond” Reviewed by Julia W. Rath and Frank Meccia ( 2 looks)

**** Unsurpassed is the chemistry between Bernie Rice and Judy Rossignuolo-Rice, a real-life husband and wife team, who play Norman and Ethel Thayer in Skokie Theatre’s production of “On Golden Pond.” Their performance is extraordinary as the headliners in this classic but understated drama, written by Ernest Thomson and directed by Wayne Mell. This play about a retired couple’s everyday life is done true-to-form about times that were less complicated and much slower… as illustrated by the leisurely pace of the show. This sweet, simple story makes for an enjoyable trip down memory lane: back to an era when telephones had cords, when telephone operators would take the time to phone you back, and when the postman (that’s what they were called) would sit down with a family for a cup of coffee or a meal.

For those not already familiar with the story, “On Golden Pond” is about an elderly couple who always spends their summers in a small lakefront cabin in Maine. It’s a place of calmness and stillness where the prime attraction is catching fish and watching the loons fly over the water. This particular summer, Norman, a retired professor of English, is due to turn 80 as his wife Ethel turns 70. From the onset, the audience notices that Norman’s mind is slipping, often in ways that are both sad and funny at the same time. Above all, he talks about this summer being his last at the cabin, as thoughts of his imminent demise come to mind. But as Norman and Ethel become more involved in the lives of their daughter Chelsea (Karyn Louise Doerfler) and her soon-to-become husband Billy Ray, Sr. (Victor Polites), their relatively quiet lives shift radically. We learn about Chelsea’s estrangement from her father, but she also has fond memories about how she used to go fishing with him as a child. Yet it is the special attachment between Billy’s son, 13-year-old Billy Ray, Jr. (Ari Magsino/AJ Carchi*) and Norman which changes the elderly man completely: While Billy Sr. and Chelsea are honeymooning in Europe, Billy Jr. remains with his step-grandparents, and Norman gets him interested in fishing and reading classic literature. Gaining a young companion helps make Norman’s mind sharp again and gives him reason for living. When Norman receives the attention that he craves (but didn’t realize he was missing), this makes him more physically active, improves his marriage, draws his extended family closer together—and makes him want to return to the cabin the following year. Other characters include the telephone operator (Ayla Sweet, V.O.) and Charlie Martin, the postman (Peter Goldsmith), who once dated Chelsea.

Set design by director Mell plus set decoration by Barry Norton and set construction by Scott Richardson and Brian Wasserman could not have been any better. This set works exceedingly well for every single one of the scenes. It is nicely laid out, such that doors, windows, and a small set of stairs allow for the characters to use all parts of the stage. The green wallpaper and all of the wood make us feel as if we are actually inside a fishing cabin. The props create plenty of interest: In particular, the photographs on the wall and those on the fireplace mantle add to the personalization of the room—and portray family warmth. Lighting design by Pat Henderson is very good, especially in demarcating one scene from the next (while allowing the stage crew to “do their thing”), and it also helps indicate those scenes that take place at night versus during the daytime hours.

It’s been ten years since Mell and producer Wendy Kaplan took over the management of the Skokie Theatre as the principals of MadKap Productions. They specifically chose to produce “On Golden Pond” on the occasion of this special anniversary, because it is “…a show about family, with all the complicated, messy, dysfunctional love, affection, and unwavering support that we all revel in daily.” This is a play that touches on human frailties and family dynamics. It will charm many, especially the senior set, as evinced by the comments that I heard from the audience after the show.

“On Golden Pond” is playing through February 25, 2024, at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave, in Skokie.

General Admission Tickets – $38
Seniors/Students – $34

Performance schedule:

Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

Additional performance:
Wednesday, February 21st at 1:30 p.m.

*Note: AJ Carchi’s performances: February 2, 4, 11, 17, 21, 23, and 24
Ari Magsino’s performances: February 3, 9, 10, 16, 18, and 25

For more information about this show and to purchase tickets or make reservations, visit
https://www.skokietheatre.org/on-golden-pond.html or call the box office at 847-677-7761.

For general information about the Skokie Theatre and to see their other offerings, go to https://skokietheatre.org/ or call the box office at 847-677-7761.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “On Golden Pond”.

Julia

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****It is hard to believe that Mad Kap Productions has been at the Skokie Theatre for ten years, I remember wishing Wendy and Wayne the best of luck back when I was doing Chicago Theatre Review at Comcast in Skokie. And tonight was a perfect example of the type of plays that are done at this small theatre. I must be honest, I have never seen the stage production, All I remember was the movie with the great Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn.

Tonight shows that there is a difference between the two and why I enjoy theatre so much better. First, it is wonderful; book, play and movie that was written by Ernest Thompson. It was the first movie I remember that brought up the subject of Dementia and growing old. And it is something all of us will face someday. The play takes place at their summer cottage that they have been going to for 48 years in upper Maine, in an area called Golden Pond. The two principal characters Ethel and Norman are played by the real husband and wife team of Judy Rossignuolo Rice and Bernie Rice. Both have been professional actors for a long time, with not only stage presence here, but around the world, and on TV and commercials.

Ethel is the matriarch of the family, the glue that keeps the family together. Norman, a retired college professor, is turning 80, and is starting to become very forgetful, even forgetting people and places that were once second nature to him. The best way to know what is happening in town is by being friends with the mail carrier Charlie, played by Peter Goldsmith. Charlie must deliver the mail by boat and gets to stop off at the Thayler’s house to drop off their mail and have a cup of coffee and ask about their daughter Chelsea that he used to date when they were younger. Chelsea is played by Karyn Louise Doerfler, she is the neurotic daughter that is estranged from her father. She calls him by his first name and never identifies him as her dad. By the end of the first act she brings her new boyfriend Bill a dentist, which means she is improving from her past marriage, Bill is Played by Victor Polites and he understand her father and tried to have a good relationship with him, and Bill brings his 13-year-old son Billy played by A J Carchi ( and at times, Ari Magsino) up to spend the summer with Norman and Ethel, while he and Chelsea go off to Europe.

Your left to wonder how a teenager is going to handle a crotchety, cynical grumpy old man. In act two, you learn how relationships can grow and be nurtured by two different people, and you also learn the fragility of life and how to make the best of the time we have left. The entire cast is perfect for this production. And being in a small intimate theater like the Skokie Theatre, where there are no bad seats, you appreciate this two-hour production. Directed and Produced by another talented team, Wendy Kaplan, and Wayne Mell they just know how to make everything work with their productions. The set was perfect for this show.

“On Golden Pond “is playing till Feb 25.th with performances as follows:

Friday and Saturday at 7:30

Sunday at 2pm

Matinee on Wednesday Feb 21st at 3pm.

Tickets are $38, with Senior and Students at $34. Tickets can be bought on-line at Skokie Theatre.org or call the box office at 847-677-7761.

Skokie Theatre is located at 7824 Lincoln Ave, downtown Skokie. With plenty of free parking. Do not miss this truly extraordinary play.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “On Golden Pond”

Frank