Hampton Theatre Company Presenting “On Golden Pond”

On Golden Pond, the second play of the Hampton Theatre Company’s 2018-2019 season, will premiere on Thursday, January 10.

The Ernest Thompson play tells the story of Ethel and Norman Thayer, who return to a summer cottage on a lake in Maine for their 48th summer together there. Norman, now 80, faces several health challenges, including heart palpitations and a failing memory. Despite the challenges that the future will bring Ethel, who is ten years younger, still revels in life’s little moments. That summer brings family, reflection, and more.

“In what may be their final season at their summer home on Golden Pond, Norman and Ethel Thayer contend with their present circumstances while reflecting on their relationships: to each other, to family, to aging, and to a life and a place defined by love,” Terry Brennan, HTC General Manager, noted.

The play debuted on Broadway at the New Apollo Theatre in 1979. In 1981, it was adapted for the big screen with Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn and Jane Fonda starring. It was the highest grossing film of the year and took home three Academy Awards.

“On Golden Pond is one of those sentimental comedies, cute and tender,” a New York Times review noted, while a New York Daily News review raved the play was “a work of rare simplicity and beauty,” adding that “in Thompson our theatre has found a fresh new voice.”

The production will feature four HTC veterans, including Diana Marbury as Ethel, George Loizides as Norman, Jane Cortney as the Thayer’s daughter Chelsea and Paul Bolger as the mailman Charlie Martin. Additionally, several thespians will be making their HTC debut. Wally Marzano-Lesnevich will star as Chelsea’s boyfriend Bill Ray and Hampton Bays High School student Ian Hubbard will play his son, Billy.

Hampton Theatre Company President Andrew Botsford will direct. On Golden Pond will showcase set design by Sean Marbury, lighting design by Sebastian Paczynski, and costumes by Teresa Lebrun.

On Golden Pond can be seen through Sunday, January 27 – with shows on Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. There will be an additional matinee performance during the final weekend of the production on Saturday, January 26.

For those looking to make it a night out, Hampton Theatre Company will be offering special dinner and theater packages in collaboration with the Westhampton, Southampton, Hampton Bays and Quogue libraries. There will also be a special lunch and theater package, presented in association with the Quogue Club at the Hallock House, for the Saturday matinee on January 26.

Tickets range from $10 to $30.

Quogue Community Hall is located at 125 Jessup Avenue in Quogue. For more information, call 631-653-8955 or visit www.hamptontheatre.org.