WILLIAMSVILLE — The Rock River Players present “On Golden Pond” by Ernest Thompson at the Williamsville Hall, diagonally across from The Eatery on Dover Road, according to a news release.
“On Golden Pond” is the story of Ethel [Debbi Reed-Savory] and Norman Thayer [Stewart McDermet], who return to their summer home on Golden Pond for the 48th year. A retired English professor, Norman is nearly 80, with heart palpitations and a failing memory but still as acerbic, sharp, and eager for life as ever. Ethel, 10 years younger and the perfect foil for Norman, delights in the little things that enrich their long life together.
They are visited by their divorced, middle-aged daughter, Chelsea (Sara Vitale) and her dentist fiancé, Bill Ray (Jeff Connor), who then go off to Europe, leaving his teenage son (Alex Bashay) behind with Ethel and Norman for the summer. The boy quickly becomes the “grandchild” the elderly couple have longed for, and as Norman revels in taking his ward fishing and thrusting good literature at him, he learns some lessons about modern teenage awareness, and slang, in return.
As the summer wanes, Ethel and Norman realize the enduring strength of their love and look forward to the future, just as they've lived the past, together.
The cast is rounded out by Miles Keefe as Charlie and Susan O'Hara as the operator. Cris Parker-Jennings directs; Rick King and Bonnie Cramp are technical staff. Annie Landenberger is producer and Rock River Players founders are covering crew and front-of-house.