REVIEW: On Golden Pond delivers lovely dysfunction at Albany Civic Theater
Photos by David Quiñones Jr.
“On Golden Pond offers a nice respite from the true meaning of Christmas and is well worth checking out.”
In a nifty bit of counter-programming, Albany Civic Theater is offering On Golden Pond through 12/22. If you feel like every theatre that goes about with “Merry Christmas” on their boards should be drowned in their figgy pudding, take a trip to Second Avenue and the fine production of the 1979 Ernest Thompson mainstay. It has its own way of celebrating the holidays, by putting the fun in dysfunctional family gatherings.
Katherine Ambrosio and Jesse Braverman are Norman and Ethel Thayer (“Thoundth like I’m lithping…”), the roles enshrined in the 1981 movie by Katherine Hepburn and Henry Fonda which won them both Oscars, Fonda’s only competitive Oscar.
The story has the elderly couple opening up their summer cabin in Maine while navigating the difficulties of growing old together. This summer, Norman’s getting weaker and his memory is fading while their daughter Chelsea is showing up with a new boyfriend for his 80th birthday celebration.
Ambrosio and Braverman are terrific in the lead roles – sharp, incisive and very comfortable with each other. They are not afraid to show all the contrary prickliness of old age which makes their relationship and the play believable and valuable. However, there is a casual racism in the script played for laughs which is never challenged; it dates the script and disturbed me.
Barbara Davis directs this very fine production and she has solid support from her technical staff, especially set designer and board president of ACT, Peter Kantor, who gives the cabin an open frame design with a pine tree shore backdrop visibly painted on the theater walls.
Melissa Hughes is a fine Chelsea and her scene with Ambrosio is a highlight of this family drama grappling with past slights and how to move on. Christopher Urig calls Norman on his bullshit and earns the audience's appreciation and respect. Celeste Radez plays Billy Ray, Jr., the boyfriend’s son, and she is delightful, savoring (like me) the use of the word bullshit. Three of the actors are new to the ACT stage which is always good to see.
The very talented Nate Beynon makes a great deal out of the lake’s boating postman, Charlie, who harbors a crush on Chelsea. He has a ridiculous, infectious foghorn of a laugh but can also make you consider this poor soul in isolation.
On Golden Pond runs through 12/22 and is well worth checking out especially for the two leads’ performances, difficult roles at any age but superbly played by these two area veterans.
For tickets, call 518-462-1297 or visit www.albanycivictheater.org