Cast for "On Golden Pond" Announced

Rehearsals are underway at Eunice Players’ Theatre for “On Golden Pond”, under the direction of Vincent P. Barras, with performances scheduled later this month. 

The warm but funny story, written by Ernest Thompson, centers around Norman and Ethel Thayer, a spirited and lovable elderly couple facing the complications of their twilight years during their 48^th year at their summer home on Golden Pond in Maine.  While there, they are visited by Chelsea, their divorced, middle-aged daughter and her dentist fiancé, who then go off to Europe, leaving his teenage son behind for the summer. The boy quickly becomes the "grandchild" the elderly couple has longed for.  As the summer wanes and the family is brought even closer together, they reflect on time, relationships, and the prospect of spending another summer on Golden Pond.

Doing double-duty, director Vincent P. Barras also takes the lead role of Norman Thayer.  Vincent was seen on EPT’s stage as Carl in “A Nice Family Gathering” last season.  He has also recently played Amos in “Chicago” and the mayor in “Remember When Again” with Iberia Performing Arts League, and Father Tim Farley in “Mass Appeal” at Theatre 810 in Lafayette.

Playing Norman’s wife, Ethel, is Jody L. Powell, a board member for EPT.  Jody’s last role at EPT was that of Nettie in “The Subject Was Roses”, for which she won the Irving Award for Best Actress.  Other recent roles include Boo in “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” at EPT and Melissa in “Love Letters”, which she performed in St. Martinville and Opelousas.  She has also recently directed “A Nice Family Gathering” and “The Murder Room” at EPT.

Sarah Soileau portrays Chelsea, the couple’s daughter.  Sarah was most recently seen at EPT in “A Nice Family Gathering”.  Allen Higginbotham has the role of Bill Ray, Chelsea’s fiancé’.  Allen’s first and most recent time on the EPT stage was almost twenty years ago, when he played a police officer in “Rumours”.

Taking the role of Bill’s son, Billy, is Murphy Richard.  At only 12 years of age, Murphy already has a list of stage credits including “Humpty Dumpty is Missing!” at EPT and “A Place Called Christmas” and “A Neverland Christmas Carol” with Pandemonium Theatre in Crowley. 

Kevin Miller, a veteran of many EPT plays and Irving Award winner for many roles, portrays Charlie, the local mailman and Chelsea’s former summer boyfriend at Golden Pond.  Kevin’s recent shows at EPT include “Completely Hollywood (abridged)”, “The Subject Was Roses”, “A Tuna Christmas” and “Misery”.  He was also recently seen in “The Rehearsal” at Cite’ des Arts in Lafayette. 

The play will open with Dinner Theatre (steak and trimmings) on Wednesday, September, 19 at 6:00 p.m. at Ruby’s Restaurant, next door to the theatre.  Evening performances will be held September 20, and 26, 27, 28 and 29 at 7:00 p.m.  A matinee is scheduled for Sunday, September 23 at 2:00 p.m.  Individual tickets for the show are $10; dinner theatre is an additional $15.  They can be purchased at David Ltd. Salon or by calling David at 546-0163 or Debi at 457-2156 to charge by phone.  Season tickets are also still available to include this show and the final show of the season.  More information can be found on EPT’s Facebook page or at www.euniceplayers.blogspot.com.