Stage Write

On Golden Pond is the quiet story of an elderly couple who return to their lake house in Maine to relax for the summer. The Indiana Repertory Theatre is closing its 43rd season with a subtle exploration of the family dynamics between three very different generations.  The play has a sweet, slow rhythm. It's in no hurry to introduce the audience to all the characters or even the main heart of the play. Those who have seen the Oscar-winning movie will recognize all the characters: the cantankerous Norman, about to celebrate his 80th birthday, his patient wife Ethel, and his daughter Chelsea who keeps her distance because of bitter childhood memories. Then there's Chelsea’s boyfriend, a polite dentist and his feisty 13-year-old son who might just be exactly what Norman needs. The set was excellent, with high-arching beams and the view of a lake stretching out in the distance through the windows. Robert M. Koharchik’s beautiful design has a rustic charm and looks comfor...