MARSHFIELD – Chestnut Avenue Center for the Arts welcomes to its stage two performances of the award-winning play “On Golden Pond,” the first on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and again on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 3:00 p.m.

Playwright Ernest Thompson’s work is directed by Gary Anderson of Wausau. Anderson, an accomplished actor and writer as well as director, has brought a number of intriguing productions to Chestnut Center during the past two years.

The cast stars well-known Wausau actors Bill and Susan Day. Co-starring are Ellen Barker, Gary Anderson, and Nathan Grundman. Also featured is theatre newcomer Hayden Welch.

Setting the scene

The loons have returned to Golden Pond in Maine; so too have Norman and Ethel Thayer, an aging couple who have spent 48 summer holidays at their Golden Pond cottage. This particular summer the Thayers’ daughter Chelsea, whom they have not seen for years, is coming for Norman’s 80th birthday.

First, though, Chelsea and her fiancé are on their way to Europe for a couple of weeks, and they leave his son, Billy, in the care of Norman and Ethel. Billy proves himself to be a handful.

When Chelsea returns, she is married. She finds that her stepson Billy has the relationship with her father for which she always yearned. Will father and daughter be able to communicate at last?

The first Broadway production of “On Golden Pond” in 1979 won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play. The 2005 production won a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. In addition, James Earl Jones won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play that year.

In 1981 playwright Thompson adapted his work for the screen. Academy Awards went to Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn for their portrayals of Norman and Ethel as well as to Thompson for his screenplay.

“On Golden Pond” has been reviewed with the words “warm, reflective,” a “touchingly basic human drama,” and “unexpectedly funny.” On Nov. 1 or 2, take a trip to Golden Pond to find out for yourself.

The ticket price is $15, either in advance or at the door. To reserve tickets, contact Chestnut Center at 715-389-8999 or office@chestnutarts.org. The Center is located in downtown Marshfield at the corner of Third Street and Chestnut Avenue.