On Golden Pond to Wow Audiences at Little Church Theater

Carly Simon and Ernest Thompson, creators of new song, The Father Daughter Dance

Next week, one of the most produced plays in history, On Golden Pond, is coming to Squam Lake—where the movie it inspired was filmed—and for the first time in its 33-year history, this legendary production will be directed by its Academy Award® winning author, Ernest Thompson.

The Little Church Theater, located on the shore of Squam Lake in Holderness, New Hampshire, will be home to On Golden Pond, which opens on the first day of summer, June 21^st, and continues through July 3^rd.  It then runs again from August 23^rd through September 4^th.  This summer marks the 30^th anniversary of the film and the 250^th anniversary of the town of Holderness.

On Golden Pond has been translated into 27 languages and has played in more than 40 countries.  This version of On Golden Pond pays homage to New Hampshire, where Ernest lives and runs Whitebridge Farm Productions with partners Morgan Murphy and Lori Gigliotti Murphy.  Featuring a cast of professional actors, this production takes Ernest back to the essence of a story that for three decades has continued to capture the imagination of audiences everywhere.  One of the opening lines of the play, “Golden Pond is very near wherever you are,” is also its universal message.  Says Ernest, “Everyone has a Golden Pond, an ideal, a fantasy, a home to go to, even if it’s only in a person’s dreams.”

The show will also highlight the world premiere of a brand new song, “The Father Daughter Dance,” recorded by musical legend Carly Simon and created by Carly, Ernest, and Joe Deleault. “When I hear Carly’s voice in ‘The Father Daughter Dance’… it makes me weep every time,” says Lori Gigliotti Murphy, who plays Chelsea in the show.  Another new song, “On Golden Pond,” created by Ernest, Joe, and world-renowned fiddler, Natalie MacMaster, will premiere in this production as well.

Ernest promises a “wildly funny, yet very, very moving” production.  In addition to Lori Gigliotti Murphy as daughter Chelsea, the cast includes Frank Wells as Norman, Vinette Cotter as his wife, Ethel, Morgan Murphy as Chelsea’s dentist boyfriend Bill, Kodiak Thompson as his son Billy, and Joe Sampson as Charlie, the Mailman.  Ernest credits the actors with unearthing an On Golden Pond “that people didn’t know could exist. People will be surprised it’s funnier than the movie, but touching,” he says.

There is no better time to see this outstanding production of the classic American play, now coming to life on stage in the hands of its creator.  Don’t miss On Golden Pond in the place where it all began!  For more information or tickets, call 603-968-2250 or go to www.ongoldenpond.org.

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

photo courtesy of Whitebridge Farm Productions

additional source: article in The Citizen of Laconia