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Timeless Love Story “On Golden Pond” Comes to MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre Nov. 3-12

Drama explores family relationships, challenges by couple in twilight years
10/30/2023

WEST WINDSOR, NJ -- A poignant tale intertwining familial relationships with a 48-year-old love story comes to life when Break a Leg Productions and Zeff Entertainment presents On Golden Pond, Nov. 4-12, at the Kelsey Theatre on Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC) West Windsor Campus.

Ernest Thompson’s On Golden Pond tells the love story of Ethel and Norman Thayer, who are returning to their summer home on Golden Pond for the 48th year. Norman is a retired English professor, nearing 80, with heart palpitations and a failing memory – but still as tart-tongued and eager for life as ever. Ethel, 10 years his junior, is the perfect foil for Norman and delights in the small things that have enriched their long life together.

The Thayer’s are visited by Chelsea, their divorced, middle-aged daughter and her dentist fiancé, Bill Ray, who go off to Europe leaving his teenage son, Billy Ray, behind for the summer. The boy quickly becomes the “grandchild” the elderly couple have longed for. In the end, as the summer fades, so does Ethel and Norman’s brief elation. In the final, deeply moving moments of the play, they realize time is against them, but perhaps another summer on Golden Pond still awaits.

The cast features John Dwyer of New Hope, Pa, as Norman; Peggy Waldron of Hamilton, N.J., as Ethel; Rebecca Callahan of Princeton, N.J., as Chelsea; Tim Irvine of Levittown, Pa., as Bill Ray; Justin Casler of Hamilton as Billy Ray; and J. Ryan Harmer of Robbinsville, N.J., as mailman Charlie Martin. The play is directed by Susan Galli of Ewing, N.J., and produced by Sheldon Bruce Zeff of Newtown, Pa.

Dates and showtimes for On Golden Pond are Friday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Nov. 4 and Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Nov. 5 and Nov. 12, at 2 p.m. In addition, there will be a special performance for senior citizens and groups on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for children and students, and may be purchased online at www.KelseyTheatre.org or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at (609) 570-3333.

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Kelsey Theatre is located on the MCCC campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor Township. The theatre is wheelchair accessible and free parking is available next to the theatre. Assisted listening devices are available upon request. For a complete listing of events, visit the Kelsey website at www.KelseyTheatre.org.

At Kelsey Theatre, we have pledged to take active steps in creating true diversity, equity and inclusion in our productions through systemic policy change and individual accountability -- aiming to foster an inclusive environment for people of all races, genders, nationalities, creeds, sexual orientation, socio-economic status and abilities.” –The Kelsey Team


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On Golden Pond

John Dwyer of New Hope, Pa., and Peggy Waldron of Hamilton, N.J., as Norman and Ethel Thayer for the performance of “On Golden Pond,” at Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre Nov. 3-12.