BROADWAY SNAP-SHOT
by Russell Bouthiller

Dateline: April 27, 2005

ON GOLDEN POND

The soothing simmer of James Earl Jones' voice takes on a more surly tone in the Broadway revival of Ernest Thompson's 1978 play ON GOLDEN POND, now at the Cort Theatre. After a two decade hiatus, the star of THE GREAT WHITE HOPE returns to the Great White Way in a bittersweet "dramedy" along side veteran Leslie Uggams, under the direction of Leonard Foglia.

Most folks know ON GOLDEN POND as the classic 1981 film which earned Henry Fonda his sole Academy Award and Katharine Hepburn her record-breaking fourth. The great casting coup of the movie was having real-life daughter Jane Fonda play the Thayers only child. In this latest production, another bit of legacy casting puts Linda Powell, daughter of the former Secretary of State, in the role of Chelsea.

ON GOLDEN POND opens with Norman Thayer (Jones), a University of Pennsylvania Professor Emeritus of English, and wife Ethel (Uggams) returning to their rustic Maine retreat. Norman, who is soon to turn eighty, has been growing testier with each sign of mental slippage and Ethel must strike a balance between common sense and compassion. Watching Norman flips through the want-ads, she reminds him that their sunset years will be more richly enhanced by board games and afternoon walks.

Daughter Chelsea, who's always had a tough time with her father, makes a rare visit to the cabin; this time with the new man in her life, Bill Ray (Peter Francis James). Chelsea tells her mother that things are getting serious between them and asks if they might leave his adolescent son, Billy (Alexander Mitchell), on Golden Pond while they tour Europe. Everyone agrees and the old curmudgeon and the young whippersnapper strike up an unlikely, yet winning relationship.

Such a story may seem altogether too saccharine for a Broadway season that offers the dark-hearted THE PILLOWMAN and the stirring DOUBT as a sign of our times and Albee's WHO'S AFRAID OF VIGINIA WOOLF or Williams' A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE as this year's hot-ticket revivals. But, thanks to James Earl Jones's stupendous performance, humor and pathos are in perfect harmony.

Leslie Uggams is charming as the committed wife who loves her man in spite of his obvious faults. Craig Bockhorn as Charlie, the mailman, adds a precise pinch of twang to this New England chowder. And, young Alexander Mitchell holds his own quite well against his expert elders.

Foglia's direction wisely focuses on the more humorous elements of the play, primarily Norman's acerbic side. Scenic design by Ray Klausen adds an open, airy quality to the cabin by stripping away the walls. Jane Greenwood's costumes provide a warm cover to the Maine morning chill and lighting design by Brian Nason provides a sunny glow. ON GOLDEN POND, a golden oldie.