The cast has been selected and rehearsals have begun for the St. Joseph’s Players production of the classic comedy/drama “On Golden Pond,” which is scheduled to open on Friday, February 21, and play through Sunday, March 16, in the Rusack Parish Hall at the St. Joseph of Arimathea Church, 56312 Onaga Trail in Yucca Valley (corner of Onaga Tr. & Church St.).
“On Golden Pond,” written by Ernest Thompson, opened on Broadway in 1979, garnering several awards including a Toni, and has since become something of an American theatrical classic. Thompson adopted the play to the screen for the 1981 film production featuring Katherine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, and Jane Fonda, which received multiple industry awards, including Oscars for Hepburn, Henry Fonda, and Thompson for his adapted screenplay. The drama was later produced for television in 2001 starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.
Retired couple Ethel and Norman Thayer spend every summer at their cabin on Golden Pond. This year their adult daughter Chelsea visits bringing her new fiancé and his 13 year old son. The turbulent relationship between father and daughter, the generation gap between young and old, and the difficulties facing a couple in the twilight years all combine to give this play a unique insight into the modern family.
The cast assembled by Director Rebecca Havely includes Lloyd Steele as Norman Thayer Jr., and Sue Kelly as his wife Ethel Thayer. Their daughter Chelsea will be portrayed by Sadie Johannsson, Chelsea’s fiancé Bill Ray by Benjamin Bees, and young Billy Ray by Trevor Carpenter. Ben Sassnett will play the Mailman, Charlie Martin, and Jananne Turner will assume the role of the telephone operator.
Tickets to the intimate 50 seat theater are $10.00 general admission and $8:00 for Military, Students & Seniors (55+), CASH ONLY please, and are available at “The Silk Purse” in Twentynine Palms and “Wind Walker” in Joshua Tree, as well as from church and cast members. To reserve tickets, call 760-365-7133. St. Joseph of Arimathea Episcopal Church is located at 56312 Onaga Trail at the corner of Church Street & Onaga trail in Yucca Valley.
