'On Golden Pond' directed for first time by Oscar-winning author Ernest Thompson opening at Little Church Theater June 21

HOLDERNESS — For the first time, Academy Award®-winning author Ernest Thompson will direct a stage production of "On Golden Pond" at The Little Church Theater, opening Tuesday, June 21.

This landmark event will feature the world premiere of a brand new recording from musical legend Carly Simon, "The Father Daughter Dance," created by Simon, Thompson, and Joe Deleault.

The Little Church Theater is a private non-profit center for creativity on the banks of Squam Lake, where the famous movie was filmed. The Whitebridge Farm Production of "On Golden Pond" will mark the 30th anniversary of the movie and the 250th anniversary of Holderness.

Featuring professional actors, "On Golden Pond" will run for 32 performances — from Tuesday, June, 21 — Sunday, July 3; and again from Tuesday, August 23 — Sunday, September 4. Performances will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and 8 p.m. Wednesdays — Saturdays. Matinees are available at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

“When I hear Carly’s (Simon) voice in 'The Father Daughter Dance,' the new song created for this production, it makes me weep every time,” said Lori Gigliotti Murphy who plays Chelsea, the daughter who returns to the family summer home after being away for eight years. The rest of the professional cast includes Frank Wells as Norman; Vinette Cotter as his wife, Ethel; Morgan Murphy as Chelsea’s dentist boyfriend Bill; Kodiak Thompson as Billy, the son; and Joe Sampson as Charlie, the mailman.

“Golden Pond is very near wherever you are is one of the opening lines of the play and its universal message,” stated Thompson. “Everyone has a Golden Pond, an ideal, a fantasy, a home to go to, even if it’s only in a person’s dreams.”

Thompson has directed the successful musical version of "On Golden Pond" and the blockbuster television production starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, but this marks the first time that he’s directed the play that began his career 33 years ago.

Several special events with the author have been planned at the Theater, lakeside homes, and nearby businesses, and are available to the public. Tuesday night performances alternate from Opening Night Galas to a discussion with Thompson and the audience regarding directing the script. Thompson will address the audience about acting at each Wednesday night performance and writing at each Thursday night performance. He will discuss the process of moving the story from Broadway to Hollywood at each Friday evening performance. Each Saturday evening performance will begin with an optional cocktail party with Thompson at a lakeside home.

The Little Church Theater and this production of "On Golden Pond" are sponsored by generous supporters including Rusty McLear, Jodie Herbert, The Inns and Spa at Mill Falls, Paul & Warren Miller, Stonyfield Farm, Gary & Meg Hirshberg, Riveredge Marina, Walter's Basin, Alex Ray, the Common Man Family of Restaurants, and the Squam Lakes Inn.

Tickets range from $25 for general matinee seating to $200 for Opening Night Galas. For tickets or more information, call 968-2250 or visit www.OnGoldenPond.org. For more information about The Little Church Theater, visit www.LittleChurchTheater.com; and for more about Whitebridge Farm Productions, visit www.WhitebridgeFarmProductions.com.

CAPTION: For the first time, Oscar®-winning author Ernest Thompson (pictured right) will direct a stage production of "On Golden Pond" at The Little Church Theater, opening Tuesday, June 21. The production will feature the world premiere of a brand new recording from musical legend Carly Simon (pictured left), "The Father Daughter Dance," created by Simon, Thompson, and Joe Deleault. (Courtesy photo)