Chester Theatre Group

Rich Maloy - Photo by Scott Hart

The Chester Theatre Group has won two NJACT “Perry Awards” for their 2008-2009 production “On Golden Pond.”

The Chester Theatre Group’s winners were; Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play: Rich Maloy, and Outstanding Properties: Lynn Hart, Pat Dougherty. The Chester Theatre Group performs at the historic Black River Playhouse in Chester, N.J.

The NJACT Perry Awards are given for outstanding achievements in community theater. More than 200 shows produced by theater companies around the state are submitted each year.

Congrats to Rich, Lynn and Pat!!!

The Chester Theatre Group (CTG), kicks off its new season at the Black River Playhouse October 31st with On Golden Pond by Ernest Thompson, a gentle, wry comedy of one family’s journey through the humor and sorrow of age and the agelessness of love. Over one summer, curmudgeon Norman Thayer and his long suffering wife Ethel address lost faculties, daughter/father conflicts and second chances. Humor, pain and caring fill the rustic cabin in Maine.

Although originally a very successful play on Broadway, it is more famous as the film in which Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn won wide critical acclaim, resulting in both winning Oscars for Best Actor and Actress.

A story filled with poignancy, warm humor, and wonderfully created characters, CTG will present On Golden Pond in its original stage setting.

Perry Award winner Scott Hart will direct. The cast: Rich Maloy as Norman Thayer Jr. , Eileen Waite as Ethel Thayer, plus Bob Scarpone as Charlie the mailman, Maria Brodeur as Chelsea, Don Gehan as Bill Ray Sr. and Noah Befeler as Billy Ray Jr.

Performances over three weekends: Friday & Saturday (10/31, 11/1) (11/7& 8), (11/14 & 15) at 8 p.m. Matinees Sunday 11/2 and 11/9 at 2 p.m.

The Black River Playhouse is located at the corner of Maple and Grove in Chester.

On Golden Pond by by Ernest Thompson will be presented by the Chester Theatre Group at the Black River Playhouse on October 31, 2008; weekends through November 15, 2008. Scott Hart directs.

On Golden Pond, a gentle, wry comedy of American life and ways, takes place one summer, when retired professor Norman Thayer and his wife Ethel arrive at their New England cottage on Golden Pond, just as they have done for nearly 50 years. The Thayer’s daughter Chelsea arrives at the cottage with her fiance Bill Ray and Billy, his 13 year-old son from a previous marriage.

Chelsea and Bill plan for Billy to stay at Golden Pond while they head for a summer in Europe. The brusque, hypochondriac Norman and the irritating Billy are soon at odds – much the same as father and daughter have always been. But despite his summer peace being shattered, the two come to a better understanding of one another over the time they are together, while Chelsea also tries to come to terms with his mortality. Time, they know, is now against them, but the years have been good and perhaps another summer on Golden Pond still awaits.

Although originally a very successful play on Broadway, it is more famous as the film in which Henry Fonda, then 75, took his final bow. His performance, along with his co-star Katherine Hepburn won wide critical acclaim, resulting in them both picking up Oscars for Best Actor and Actress.

A story filled with poignancy, warm humor, and wonderfully created characters, we’re proud to present On Golden Pond in its original stage setting.

On Golden Pond features the talents of:

• Rich Maloy as Norman Thayer Jr.
• Eileen Waite as Ethel Thayer
• Bob Scarpone as Charlie the mailman
• Maria Brodeur as Chelsea
• Don Gehan as Bill Ray Sr.
• Noah Befeler as Billy Ray Jr.

Performances are scheduled: 10/31, 11/1, 11/7, 11/8, 11/14 and 11/15 at 8:00 p.m.
11/2 and 11/9 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $18.00 for all performances. The Chester Theatre Group offers student and senior citizen (65+) tickets of $16.00 with I.D. at all performances. Only cash or checks accepted, NO CREDIT CARDS. Our box office opens at 7:30 p.m. for evening performances which begin at 8:00 p.m. and at 1:30 p.m. for matinees which begin at 2:00 p.m. Due to the nature of our theater in the round, latecomers will be seated at the discretion of our house manager.

Reservations can be made by calling our box office at 908-879-7304.