On Golden Pond Closes IRT Season with Laughs, Tears

Ethel Winslow — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 05:09:03 +0000

The Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) last production for the 2014-2015 season, On Golden Pond, brings laughs and tears to the OneAmerica Mainstage through May 10.
Many people may be familiar with the film based on the play, starring Henry Fonda, his daughter Jane, and Katherine Hepburn. On Golden Pond tells the story of Norman (Robert Elliott) and Ethel Thayer (Darrie Lawrence) who have spent nearly 40 summers in their Maine cottage, located on the banks of Golden Pond. But just as Norman — who is experiencing frequent bouts of forgetfulness — starts to lose his zest for life, he receives an unexpected but welcomed visitor who turns his world upside-down.
This visitor, an inquisitive and misled thirteen year-old boy named Billy Ray, Jr. (Griffin Grider) challenges Norman and not only rejuvenates his love of life, but also helps restore a faded relationship between Norman and his daughter, Chelsea (Constance Macy).
Elliot’s Norman is feisty and clever, and Lawrence’s Ethel is his equal in every way. Watching these two flinty New England types verbally square off is a delight, but when Grider’s Billy Ray Jr. enters the mix, the multi-generational chemistry truly begins. One of the highlights of the production is Charlie Clark as Charlie Martin, the mailman who befriends the Thayers and always had a crush on Chelsea. His infectious laughter lights up the stage. Macy, as daughter Chelsea, turns in another fine performance on the IRT stage, struggling between love for her father and feeling inadequate in his eyes.
Director Janet Allen coaxed subtle performances from her actors in this production. The scenic design by Robert Koharchik and great lighting from Betsy Cooperider-Bernstein create just the right ambiance for this emotionally deep play.
People of all ages will enjoy this production of On Golden Pond. Adult tickets are $59-$25; call 635-5252 or visit www.irtlive.com for a full schedule.

Applause!: April 17-24

Weekly View — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 05:08:13 +0000

CORRECTION AND CLARIFICATION: In last week’s article, “Irvington’s Community Space for Arts,” we forget to tell you exactly where the 5547 Project is located. It is at 5547 Bonna Ave. We regret the omission. Thank you to the many readers who called and asked where it was. We corrected it in our online edition (weeklyview.net).
• Indiana Repertory Theatre’s last show of the 2014-15 season is On Golden Pond, showing through May 10. This has been the IRT’s strongest season to date, and performances have been selling out. What you may not know is for every performance there is a prologue, or pre-show discussion, hosted by IRT staff and artists. The prologue begins 45 minutes before curtain and concludes 20 minutes before curtain. They will also have a special Mother’s Day Brunch before the May 10 performance at 11:30 (show begins at 2 p.m.). Tickets are $25-$59 depending on times and dates. Call 635-5252 or visit www.irtlive.com for more information.
• Road construction on Ritter south of Ellenberger Park that prohibits southbound traffic from the Parkway to Washington St. is creating many headaches for drivers — and residents who are reporting increased traffic on side streets. Please be safe when driving — or walking and biking — on the streets around the construction zone.
• The Phoenix Theatre has always been the place for innovative productions, and their World Premiere of Typhoid Mary opening April 30 and running through May 24 promises to deliver another thought-provoking theatre experience. Written by Tom Horan, the show tells the story of Mary Mallon, the cook who became known as “Typhoid Mary.” The show stars Lauren Briggeman, Jolene Moffatt, and Ben Asaykwee. Following the performance on Sunday, May 3, there will be a post-show discussion on the ethics of medical quarantine, and other modern-day issues of medical ethics raised within the play. The show is for adults only. Tickets are $27-$33. Call 635-7529 or through phoenixtheatre.org.
• This year’s Bike to School Day will take place on May 6. Last year’s national Bike to School Day attracted 2,200 schools. National Bike to School Day occurs in coordination with the League of American Bicyclist’s National Bike Month and builds off the momentum of the national Walk to School Day. Several schools around central Indiana participated, including the Center for Inquiry at School 84 in Indianapolis. There is still time for a school to register to participate. If you are interested, more information is available at www.walkbiketoschool.org.
• Thank you to all the hard-working volunteers on the east side who picked up trash on April 11. The Emerson Heights Cleanup Crew came out strong, as did Windsor Park and Little Flower. When good people come together, good things are bound to happen!

Weekly View » On Golden Pond

On Golden Pond Closes IRT Season with Laughs, Tears

Applause!: April 17-24