On Golden Pond - The Play - Pitman's Freightroom

Lakegeezer · 08-01-2012, 05:51 AM

If you liked the movie "On Golden Pond", you owe it to yourself to see the play. It has been presented in Laconia since July 3 and will close on August 12'th. Information at http://pitmansfreightroom.com/Performers/OnGoldenPond/OnGoldenPondPage.htm

What a treat! It is directed by the original writer, Earnest Thompson, who also plays Charlie "the mailman", and does a fantastic job. If you frequent Heath's supermarket, in Center Harbor, you may recognize those playing the leading roles of Norman and Ethel.

The venue is Pitman's Freight Room, near the rotary of downtown Laconia. This whole function hall is decorated to be the Thayer's lake house and it feels as if you are sitting in the cottage among them.

Before the show, the guy who wrote the play 34 years ago comes out to talk about its history and, at least last night, the actors stayed on stage after the play to answer questions. That part was amazing!

It feels very special to see this lakes region icon directed by the author. You can even see his Oscar award for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium. I picked up the Oscar and wow is it heavy. The only let down is to learn that the lake he was thinking about when writing the play is actually across the border in Maine, not Squam where the film was shot.

Sunrise Point · 08-01-2012, 06:54 AM

We went with some friends and loved it. I highly recommend it too.

Norman and Ethel were perfectly cast for the part. Billy Ray was great too. Don't miss it.

Rinkerfam · 08-01-2012, 07:22 PM

We have Katherine Hepburn to thank for the film being shot in NH. She convinced the director that it was the better choice. She also attended a town meeting that swayed the townspeople into allowing the film to be shot on Squam Lake. If you have a newer version of the DVD there is bonus material that you can watch which talks about this. There is a lot of behind the scenes stuff as well as conversations with the actors, the director and the playwright/screenplay writer.

Old Hubbard Rd · 08-03-2012, 05:54 AM

A large group of friends visited Winni from Virginia and asked us if we had a interest in attending. Boy am I glad it was recommened to us. It was one of the best things we did!! All actors did a great job especially Charlie, The young Boy (blonde boy as there may be a couple that play this part) and Norman! I only wish I had brought my DVD cover for a autograph.

Happy Gourmand · 08-04-2012, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Hubbard Rd

A large group of friends visited Winni from Virginia and asked us if we had a interest in attending. Boy am I glad it was recommened to us. It was one of the best things we did!! All actors did a great job especially Charlie, The young Boy (blonde boy as there may be a couple that play this part) and Norman! I only wish I had brought my DVD cover for a autograph.

That's Jordan Puzzo, from Derry, and his folks have a place in Meredith. Great kid, and a great family.

Gatto Nero · 08-08-2012, 02:12 PM

We saw it last night and it was great. After the show Ernest Thompson hosted a Q&A that was also very interesting. I would highly recommend.

WakeboardMom · 08-09-2012, 10:35 AM

We saw it last night; four thumbs up! The couple that play Norman and Ethel were phenomenal, and Ernest was wonderful as Charlie. We stayed for the Q & A and were very happy that we did. Ernest Thompson is a charismatic individual.

FOUR MORE PERFORMANCES! Highly recommend seeing it!

dt5150 · 08-09-2012, 10:56 AM

can you buy tix at the door, or do you have to buy them ahead of time?

WakeboardMom · 08-09-2012, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dt5150

can you buy tix at the door, or do you have to buy them ahead of time?

I bought mine ahead of time; link is below. I was behind people in line who were purchasing tickets at the door.

http://ongoldenpond.org/Home_Page.html

dt5150 · 08-09-2012, 01:34 PM

thanks wm.

Redwing · 08-14-2012, 03:29 PM

I saw the performance in Holderness last summer (August 2011) and it was outstanding! We ladies had dinner at Walter's Basin and enjoyed the play as well as chatting with the author - Ernest Thompson - and actors for a Q&A after the play. It was the weekend of Hurricane Irene...

08-01-2012, 05:51 AM	#1
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,657 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 342 Thanked 618 Times in 278 Posts	On Golden Pond - The Play - Pitman's Freightroom If you liked the movie "On Golden Pond", you owe it to yourself to see the play. It has been presented in Laconia since July 3 and will close on August 12'th. Information at http://pitmansfreightroom.com/Performers/OnGoldenPond/OnGoldenPondPage.htm What a treat! It is directed by the original writer, Earnest Thompson, who also plays Charlie "the mailman", and does a fantastic job. If you frequent Heath's supermarket, in Center Harbor, you may recognize those playing the leading roles of Norman and Ethel. The venue is Pitman's Freight Room, near the rotary of downtown Laconia. This whole function hall is decorated to be the Thayer's lake house and it feels as if you are sitting in the cottage among them. Before the show, the guy who wrote the play 34 years ago comes out to talk about its history and, at least last night, the actors stayed on stage after the play to answer questions. That part was amazing! It feels very special to see this lakes region icon directed by the author. You can even see his Oscar award for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium. I picked up the Oscar and wow is it heavy. The only let down is to learn that the lake he was thinking about when writing the play is actually across the border in Maine, not Squam where the film was shot. __________________ -lg

08-01-2012, 07:22 PM	#3
Rinkerfam Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 268 Thanks: 0 Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts	We have Katherine Hepburn to thank for the film being shot in NH. She convinced the director that it was the better choice. She also attended a town meeting that swayed the townspeople into allowing the film to be shot on Squam Lake. If you have a newer version of the DVD there is bonus material that you can watch which talks about this. There is a lot of behind the scenes stuff as well as conversations with the actors, the director and the playwright/screenplay writer. __________________ Education is hanging around 'til you've caught on - Frost

08-03-2012, 05:54 AM	#4
Old Hubbard Rd Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 462 Thanks: 141 Thanked 54 Times in 33 Posts	I 2nd this play! A large group of friends visited Winni from Virginia and asked us if we had a interest in attending. Boy am I glad it was recommened to us. It was one of the best things we did!! All actors did a great job especially Charlie, The young Boy (blonde boy as there may be a couple that play this part) and Norman! I only wish I had brought my DVD cover for a autograph.

08-08-2012, 02:12 PM	#6
Gatto Nero Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Isola Gatto Nero Posts: 696 Thanks: 162 Thanked 263 Times in 81 Posts	We saw it last night and it was great. After the show Ernest Thompson hosted a Q&A that was also very interesting. I would highly recommend. __________________ La vita è buona su Isola Gatto Nero

08-09-2012, 10:35 AM	#7
WakeboardMom Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NH X 2 Posts: 508 Thanks: 595 Thanked 113 Times in 92 Posts	We saw it last night; four thumbs up! The couple that play Norman and Ethel were phenomenal, and Ernest was wonderful as Charlie. We stayed for the Q & A and were very happy that we did. Ernest Thompson is a charismatic individual. FOUR MORE PERFORMANCES! Highly recommend seeing it! __________________ MarieM

The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Lakegeezer For This Useful Post:
Happy Gourmand (08-01-2012), Jonas Pilot (08-04-2012), Lakewinn1 (08-05-2012), mcdude (08-01-2012), Rattlesnake Gal (08-01-2012)

08-01-2012, 06:54 AM	#2
Sunrise Point Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Meredith Center / Winnisquam Posts: 250 Thanks: 87 Thanked 34 Times in 21 Posts	We went with some friends and loved it. I highly recommend it too. Norman and Ethel were perfectly cast for the part. Billy Ray was great too. Don't miss it.

The Following User Says Thank You to Happy Gourmand For This Useful Post:
Old Hubbard Rd (08-05-2012)

08-09-2012, 10:56 AM	#8
dt5150 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 396 Thanks: 4 Thanked 105 Times in 70 Posts	can you buy tix at the door, or do you have to buy them ahead of time?

08-09-2012, 01:34 PM	#10
dt5150 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 396 Thanks: 4 Thanked 105 Times in 70 Posts	thanks wm.

08-14-2012, 03:29 PM	#11
Redwing Deceased Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Haven, Connecticut and summer resident of Moultonborough, NH since 1952 Posts: 216 Thanks: 324 Thanked 43 Times in 27 Posts	On Golden Pond I saw the performance in Holderness last summer (August 2011) and it was outstanding! We ladies had dinner at Walter's Basin and enjoyed the play as well as chatting with the author - Ernest Thompson - and actors for a Q&A after the play. It was the weekend of Hurricane Irene...