Lyceum preview: Award-winning 'On Golden Pond' brings love story, humor to Lyceum stage

When "On Golden Pond" originally opened in 1978 off-Broadway with none other than Tennessee Williams in attendance, according to a news release from the Arrow Rock Lyceum theater.

He was said to have remarked that he loved the play but wished the characters didn't have to leave at the end.

"Let them stay the winter," he said.

Lyceum officials hope audiences will feel the same way about the experience as Ernest Thompson's award-winning play begins its run Saturday, Sept. 6, at 2 p.m.

Following its year-long off-Broadway run, the play opened on Broadway, receiving a Tony Award and five Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding New Play, according to the news release.

Three years later, Thompson adapted his play for the screen -- winning an Oscar in the process.

The film version of "On Golden Pond" won three Oscars, including Henry Fonda's first and only Oscar for Best Actor and Katharine Hepburn's record fourth Oscar for Best Actress.

"On Golden Pond is a love story and a comedy, but not exactly what you would expect from either categorization." says director Peter Bennett. "The hilarious encounters make this comedy one which deals with aging, mortality, parenting, generational differences and more."

The play takes place at the Thayers' lake house in Maine beside Golden Pond.

Retired professor, tart-tongued Norman, and his wife of more than four decades, sweet-tempered Ethel, are visited by their middle-aged daughter, her boyfriend and his adolescent son.

"The play becomes a testimony to the human capacity for growth even near the end of life," Bennett said.

Returning to the Lyceum in the pivotal role of Norman is Joneal Joplin. Joplin was last seen on the Lyceum stage as Willie Clark in The Sunshine Boys and has appeared in theatres from coast to coast.

Norman's counterpart, Ethel, will be played by Margery Shaw in her Lyceum debut. Shaw is a veteran of more than 30 productions of Shakespeare's plays and won the New Jersey Drama Critics' Best Leading Actress Award.

Taking on the role of Billy Ray, the teenage boy who becomes Norman's catalyst for change in the play is Columbia native Troy Guthrie. Guthrie was seen earlier this season in Big the Musical.

Rounding out this very talented cast is Jane Brockman, Ames Adamson, and Brendan Byrnes.

Tickets for each production are available through the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre's Web site at www.lyceumtheatre.org or by calling the Lyceum Box Office at 660-837-3311.

Dates:

Five matinee performances at 2 p.m. on Sept. 6, 7, 10, 13, 14; Four evening performances at 8 p.m.: Sept. 6, 10, 12, 13.

The "talk back" session, where audience members are invited to stay after the show for an informal discussion with the cast and crew, follows the 8 p.m. show Wednesday, Sept. 10.

The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre is a 48-year-old not-for-profit organization with the mission of bringing professional theater to the heart of Mid-Missouri.