Thoreson, Clark Lead Cast in Renaissance Players' Upcoming ON GOLDEN POND

On Golden Pond, Ernest Thompson's acclaimed play about marriage, personal growth and the resolution of family issues, starring Dave Thoreson and Marianne Clark as Norman and Ethel Thayer, takes the stage of the Gaslight Theatre at Dickson's Renaissance Center, running October 7-16.

On Golden Pond opened on Broadway in 1979 and centers around an elderly couple, the irritable and stubborn curmudgeon Norman Thayer and his spirited and loving wife Ethel Thayer. A visit by middle-aged daughter Chelsea stirs family rifts and opens old wounds. But during the course of the story, an unexpected bond between Norman and Chelsea's boyfriend's young son, Billy Ray, whom she leaves with Norman and Ethel at their summer home on Golden Pond, helps transform and resolve those family issues. Through both humor and drama the play deftly explores the issues of marriage, family relationships, personal growth, and mortality.

Performances are set for Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2p.m. There will be a special lunch matinee on Saturday, October 15, which includes a full meal and dessert plus the show ($27).

On Golden Pond was adapted for the screen in 1981 and resulted in an Academy Award for Henry Fonda in his final film role. Co-star Katharine Hepburn also received an Oscar, as did Ernest Thompson for his screenplay. The film received a total of 10 Academy Award nominations and also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture-Drama. On Golden Pond also starred Jane Fonda, who purchased the rights to the play specifically for her father to play the role of the cantankerous Norman Thayer. The stressed father-daughter relationship in the play closely reflected the often turbulent relationship between Henry and Jane Fonda and both were said to have greatly valued the time to mend their relationship, resolve issues and spend time together before his passing the following year. Despite many common Hollywood acquaintances, Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn had never worked together and had not even met until they worked on On Golden Pond. Upon meeting Hepburn gave Henry Fonda a "lucky hat" that belonged to Spencer Tracy, which Fonda wore throughout the film.

In addition to Thoreson and Clark, The Renaissance Players cast includes Jennifer Bennett as Chelsea Thayer, Tom Hilyer as Bill Ray, Tate Blunt as Billy Ray and Nathan Jansen as Charlie.

On Golden Pond is directed by Pacer Harp, the theatre director at The Renaissance Center since it opened in 1999. His TRC credits total over 50 productions and he has worn many hats over the years, including actor, director, producer, choreographer and playwright. He oversees all of the theatre department's programming, including the M.E.T. Series (Mind Enriching Theatre), the Y.E.S. Series (Young Entertainers on Stage), The Renaissance Players and The Gaslight Dinner Theatre. A Dickson resident, Pacer has also enlightened over 100,000 school children during Field Trips to The Michael Faraday Science Theatre where his six "one man shows" continue to be popular with educators. Directing credits include Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, Guys And Dolls, A Chorus Line, Anything Goes, Tuesdays With Morrie and Driving Miss Daisy. Outside of work, he is a Tennessee Arts Commission Teaching Artist for the Arts 360 Program and for Poetry Out Loud, a National Endowment of the Arts initiative. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Nashville in Motion and the Tennessee Theatre Association.