THE OLD LYRIC REPERTORY COMPANY OPENS THE SEASON WITH A FISH TALE “ON GOLDEN POND”
The summer season means different things to many – sun, beaches, mountains, barbeques, family and memories. The Old Lyric Repertory Company (OLRC) combines them all in its season opener, “On Golden Pond,” by Ernest Thompson. The staging marks the 37th season of live theatre produced by the OLRC in Logan.
The production‚s opening run stretches from Thursday, June 12, through Saturday, June 14. Curtain time remains the same as last season, 8 p.m. After the weekend run, “On Golden Pond” is staged in repertory throughout the summer. For ticket information and dates call (435) 797-0305. More information is available at www.usu.edu/lyric.
“On Golden Pond” is the heartfelt story of an older couple‚s struggle to face the aging process. Norman and Ethel Thayer are spending their 48th summer together in their cottage on Golden Pond. Their days are filled with berry picking, fishing and fun, but an undercurrent tugs at them both. Norman has just turned 80, and his constant jokes about death and his wry wit do little to hide his own fear or assuage Ethel‚s. Into this struggle marches Norman‚s estranged daughter, Chelsea, who, though bitter at a lack of attention as a child, now seeks to make amends with her father before it is too late. Her new boyfriend and his teenage son accompany her. Chelsea and her boyfriend soon leave for a trip to Europe, leaving the boy behind. He and
Norman hit it off and are soon inseparable. Norman finds himself again through the youth and charm of the boy. The summer is soon over, the house is closed and is left empty.
Former OLRC actor Terence Goodman, who received a master of fine arts degree from Utah State University, directs this opening production.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work once more with the talents of Vosco Call,” Goodman said. “His instincts are incredible, he‚s stage-smart and he is a highly generous actor.”
Goodman said he wants to present a thought-provoking show.
“I want the audience to come away with a bit more reflection about their own lives and family and maybe with a different view on where life will ultimately take us all,” Goodman said. “Not to mention an appreciation of how fortunate we all have been to have passed this way and lived the lives we did, for better or for worse.”
For “On Golden Pond,” Vosco Call plays Norman Thayer, a former professor. Norman is witty, sharp-tongued and funny, but is also becoming increasingly frustrated over his loss of memory and orientation. Call, founder of the OLRC, is taking his turn on stage for the company after serving as director for a number of productions, including last summer‚s “One For The Pot.” He was last seen on the Caine Lyric stage in the OLRC‚s 2000 production of “The Sunshine Boys.”
Jan Hines will play Ethel Thayer, Norman‚s wife. Ethel is as sweet and patient as Norman is crotchety. Her common sense, her joy and her love for Norman are evident throughout the play. Hines joins the OLRC for the first time, but she was last seen on stage in Smoke Production‚s 2003 staging of “A Christmas Carol” and Utah State Theatre‚s production of
“Cabaret” in the spring of 2002.
The Thayer‚s daughter, Chelsea, is played by Keri Hostetler, and her boyfriend, Bill Ray, by William Warren. Norman‚s young sidekick, Billy Ray, is played by John Ferguson, an off-stage grandson of Call.
“On Golden Pond” is the product of Vermont native Thompson. The play, first staged in 1978, quickly became an Oscar-winning film in 1981, starring Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda and Jane Fonda. The play continues to emerge in theatres around the country and was converted to a television product in 2001, airing live on CBS, bringing a reunion of Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.
Pleased to be back at the Lyric, Goodman‚s view of the entire season is upbeat.
“I wish I could direct the whole season, it‚s that much fun,” he said. “OEForever Plaid‚ is such an outrageously entertaining piece, you can‚t leave feeling anything but good. OESylvia‚ is one of the most clever and funny plays that has been written in awhile. Yet again, there is something to learn from it as well. There‚s a great mystery – a terrific who-done-it to add a little thrill to the season. And ending with “Last Train to Nibroc,” which, perhaps, many people haven‚t heard of, is something I guarantee that won‚t be soon forgotten. It‚s a wonderfully put- together season, and I hope the community takes advantage of it because it really is one of the best OLRC has had.”
According to the OLRC publicity office, the summer offers many promotions throughout the season, including weekly Web site giveaways, special performance-night promotions and autograph opportunities. Watch the Web site for more, and keep an eye out for the OLRC Promo
Jeep – catch the driver and win merchandise, tickets and more. For more information on promotional activities and ushering opportunities, call (435) 797-1500.
Tickets are currently available, including the OLRC‚s Flex-Pass option. A Flex-Pass Season Subscription includes five coupons to any evening performance of choice (subject to ticket availability). With this pass, patrons can see what they want – one show five times or five shows once – all at savings. There is also a matinee Flex-Pass option for even more savings. Pricing and ticket information is available by calling (435) 797-0305 or by visiting www.usu.edu/lyric. Tickets can be purchased at the Smith Spectrum ticket office on the Utah State campus (7600 Old Main Hill, Logan).