'On Golden Pond' Performances To Feature Discussions on Family Dynamics

The Darien Arts Center will host two talk back sessions following select performances of its spring production, ‘On Golden Pond’. The first talk back discussion is on March 14th and will include a question and answer period with director Patrick Kiley and the show’s cast. The second scheduled talk back is on March 21st and will feature Maud Purcell, who also conducted a lively discussion following the DAC fall production of ‘God of Carnage’.

The sentimental and at-times humorous ‘slice of life’ play, ‘On Golden Pond’ encompasses universal family themes including love, loss, aging, resentment and forgiveness. Purcell, a local psychotherapist from the Life Solution of Darien, anticipates discussing topics that include the quest to please one’s parents into adulthood, the ‘normalcy’ of family dysfunction, the healing power of acknowledging vulnerability and the inevitable process of aging and its impact on the individual and family.

According to Purcell, “ The audience gets to see a turn of events that could actually happen… they will be watching transitions within a family that can be inevitable for all of us. On Golden Pond allows them to have an inside look at the ‘Thayers’ with tenderness and humor at the same time”. Purcell, the director and cast members will share their experience with the audience during the discussions, moderated by DAC board member Abbie Van Nostrand.

On Golden Pond is the first of many events planned to mark the 40th anniversary of the Darien Arts Center in 2015. The play focuses on an aging couple Ethel and Norman Thayer, who spend each summer at their home on the pond. As the story unfolds, daughter Chelsea and her fiancé Billy Ray and his son, visit the Thayers at their summer home. The couple asks Ethel and Norman to watch Billy Ray Jr. for an extended time while they visit Europe. This leads to an unexpected and unlikely bonding between Norman and the boy. The play explores the often-turbulent relationship Chelsea shared with her father growing up, and the difficulties faced by the older couple in their twilight years.

The cast of ‘On Golden Pond’ includes David Jackins as Charlie Martin, the local postman, Nancy Sinacori as Ethel Thayer, DAC Kids’ Theatre teacher and veteran actress Kitty Robertson as Chelsea Thayer Wayne, veteran actor Will Jeffries as Norman Thayer, MacKay Mumford as Billy Ray, and Eric Dino as Bill Ray, Sr. Performances are on March 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22 in the DAC Weatherstone Studio. Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at darienarts.org or by calling the DAC box office at (203) 655-5414. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Darien Town Hall.

Founded in 1975, the Darien Arts Center (DAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing visual and performing arts programs and events for the community. The DAC offers educational programs in Dance, Visual Arts, Music & Theatre, & special events & live theatre performances by DAC Stage. Private donations, grants, tuition fees & ticket sales fund the DAC, which is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall. For further information, call (203) 655-8683 or visit darienarts.org.