A Warm-hearted and Humorous Exploration of Family, Love, and the Passage of Time
Easthampton, Massachusetts: Easthampton Theater announces its production of On Golden Pond, the beloved Ernest Thompson classic, opening March 15 at Williston Theater in Easthampton, MA. Directed by Jason Rose-Langston (Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song), this humorous and poignant play promises to captivate audiences with its powerful exploration of relationships, aging, and connection.
“On Golden Pond is a masterpiece of emotional depth, wit, and tenderness,” says Director Jason Rose-Langston. “In this production, we’re not only bringing this timeless story to the stage — we’re honoring its exploration of universal themes that are more relevant today than ever. Audiences will experience both light-hearted humor and poignancy while characters confront aging, bridge generational divides, and find home, family and love along the way.”
On Golden Pond may be best known from the Academy Award-winning 1981 cinematic version. But the 1979 Broadway Tony and Golden Globe nominated play is arguably funnier and more emotionally engaging. Live on stage, On Golden Pond is an experience that will resonate deeply with anyone who has ever grappled with love, loss, or the complexities of familial bonds. It is also one of only a handful of popular theater pieces to feature the life-long love affair of a senior couple. Set against the serene backdrop of a tranquil lake in New England, the story of Norman and Ethel Thayer, an elderly couple returning to their annual summer home, is a stirring meditation on life’s inevitable changes.
“Easthampton Theater’s On Golden Pond brings a fresh emotional intensity to a play that has captured hearts for decades,” said Michael Budnick, Producer and ETC’s President and co- founder. “This production proves that the themes of family, aging, and reconciliation are more timeless and relatable than ever. Plus, this play reminds us that families, whether related or blended, are made up of all-too-fallible humans who can be quirky and funny. Ernest Thompson is a master of subtle humor and mood shifts.”
The cast features outstanding regional talent, including veteran actor and former Ashfield theater director William Spademan as Norman Thayer, Jr. His portrayal of the sharp-tongued but endearing patriarch promises to be both hilarious and deeply moving. Joining him is the talented and amiable Patricia Perlman as Ethel, Norman’s warm-hearted and loving wife, whose unwavering optimism provides a comforting counterbalance to Norman’s gruff exterior. The cast also includes Kim Gaughan as Chelsea, the Thayers’ adult daughter, who is navigating her own complex relationship with her aging parents. Travis Maider plays Chelsea’s love interest Bill, and Jaxon Reddy plays his 13-year old son Billy. Patricia, Travis and Jaxon may be familiar to ETC audiences from 2024’s The Man Who Came to Dinner. Shelton Windham rounds out the cast as Charlie, Golden Pond’s resident mailman and childhood friend of Chelsea.
The beautiful Williston Theater and the innovative set design and lighting add to the immersive experience, enveloping the audience in a peaceful, nostalgic atmosphere. On Golden Pond offers a perfect opportunity to reflect on the beauty of life’s quiet moments and the importance of connection. This is a unique theatrical event that will leave audiences laughing and reflecting long after the final curtain falls.
Performance Schedule: March 15th 21st and 22nd at 7:30PM, March 16th, 23rd at 2PM
Tickets: Available at easthamptontheater.com
Cast: Norman: William Spademan; Ethel: Patricia Perlman; Chelsea: Kimberly Gaughan; Bill: Travis
Maider; Charlie: Shelton Windham; Billy: Jaxon Reddy.
Production Team: Director and Set Design: Jason Rose-Langston, Produced by Michael O. Budnick. Stage Manager: Isabel Teixeira; Costume Design: Eva Husson-Stockhamer; Assistant Director: Gilana
Chelimsky; Lighting Design: Maurice Doran; Sound Design & Operation: Shaina O’Malley. Assistant Stage
Manager: Joe Wilcox. Production Design: Joy Gilman; Light Operation: Maureen Peterson; Props:
Frances Welson.
About Easthampton Theater Company:
Easthampton Theater Company is a production group created by Easthampton and nearby residents to bring quality theater productions and related cultural/educational programming to the city. Its founding board and members are dedicated to growing ETC as a premier theatrical venue and destination for the Valley. Easthampton Theater Company has achieved rapid growth as part of the vibrant Easthampton arts and culture scene, putting on 2-3 full-scale theatrical productions annually and conducting youth theater programs, while forming new relationships with Williston-Northampton School for facility use and (beginning in 2025) joint operation of summer youth camps. Funded by ticket sales as well as numerous donors, benefactors and supporters in the business and arts community, ETC is also supported in part by a grant from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and has received past support from the Easthampton and Massachusetts Cultural Councils.