On Golden Pond

 

Presents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a touching love story of Ethel and Norman Thayer.  They are returning for their 48th summer at the vacation home on Golden Pond.  Their daughter visits with her fiancé and his son.  While the daughter and fiancé visit Europe, Ethel and Norman discover the grandchild they never had in the fiancé’s son.  It is a summer of learning and experiences as the boy learns about fishing and good books and Norman learns about being a teenager again. In the end, as the summer fades away, Ethel and Norman realize how precious their time is together on Golden Pond.

 

 

 

 

 

The Cast

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Austin Brown
(Billy Ray)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Austin is a 5th Grade Student at Altruria Elementary in Bartlett, TN. He is very excited to play the part of Billy Ray, Jr. He would like to say a special thanks to his On Golden Pond Family for making him feel like a true Thayer and to Playhouse 51 staff Danny, Kathy and Taylor for casting him in this role and bringing out his creative side. A BIG THANK YOU to his friends and family for all their support, love and encouragement.

 

Mandie Cool
(Chelsea Thayer-Wayne)
Mandie just moved to the area in October, 2008; and she loves it! She is a military wife and mother of 4 teenagers. Mandie loves acting and had a few years of community theatre experience under her belt from when she lived in Georgia. "I am truly honored to be part of this production with Playhouse 51 and am blessed with meeting so many terrific people. Thank you so much!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike Evans
(Bill Ray)
This is Mike's third onstage appearance at Playhouse 51. He made his debut as Joseph and Bert the Cop in It's a Wonderful Life. He followed it that up with a critically acclaimed performance as Dr. Ernie Cusack in Rumors. He continues in the medical vein by playing Dr. Bill Ray in this production. Mike is a retired Naval Officer who continues to work for the Navy Recruiting Command as an operations research analyst. He sings tenor in his church choir, sings and plays guitar at select venues and loves to play golf. He is married to Linda and they have four children and three granddaughters.

 

 

 

 

 

Jane Lester
(Ethel Thayer)
Jane has been with Playhouse 51 "almost" since it's beginning and has directed It's A Wonderful Life - The Radio Play and co-directed The Best Christmas Pageant Ever as well as performed in Bell, Book, and Candle and Odd Couple - - The Female Version. When not directing or acting, Jane is busy backstage wherever she can be of help or in the way, depending on your point of view. As our current Artistic Director, she encourages your suggestions on what plays you would like to see our group do in the future. Jane's day job is Continuity Director with Citadel Broadcasting/Memphis Radio Group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Malloy
(Norman Thayer Jr.)
John has stage, film and tv experience in 46 states, Japan and Europe. I would like to dedicate this performance to an old buddy, the late Keith Kennedy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Reed
(Charlie Martin)
John appeared last midsummer in A Midsummer Night's Dream at Northwest Mississippi Community College (Oberon/Theseus) and last month in To Kill a Mockingbird at Harrell Theatre (Ensemble). He will appear next month in a New Moon Theatre production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead at TheatreWorks (Polonius). Having earned an M.F.A. from the Program for Poets and Writers at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in the late twentieth century, his verse has appeared in journals such as Poetry and The Paris Review and in anthologies such as Ten Poets and Ravishing DisUnities: Real Ghazals in English. He is the recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Yolanda Sonabend

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Director
Danny Armitage
Danny is Playhouse 51 Board as the Executive Director and he wants to encourage everyone in the community to come out and join the community theater in Millington. This is the Seventh show that Danny has done with Playhouse 51. Love Letters, The Rainmaker, It’s a Wonderful Life,and Goodbye Charlie in an acting capacity and he directed Bell Book and Candle and Rumors . His theater background covers 30 years in many different capacities. His credits in Memphis include productions with Theater Memphis, Playhouse of the Square, Circuit Playhouse, Germantown Community Theater and the old Gaslight Dinner Theater. He has also worked in professional theater in Florida and Alabama. He also is the Associate Dean of Students at the University of Memphis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assistant Director
Taylor Jones
Taylor currently attends Munford Middle school and is in the ninth grade. She played the Glow-worm in the 2004 production of James and the Giant Peach at the Ruffin.  This is her third time to work with Playhouse51. She has been in our productions of It's A Wonderful Life and The Best Christmas Padgent Ever. This is her first time to try her hand at directing.She also plays the French horn for her school's band and the base guitar for her church. Taylor attends First United Methodist Church in Millington.

 

 

 

Kathy Masters has been involved in Playhouse 51 since its beginning, serving a term as Administrative Director, working the box office, ushering, concessions and anywhere else that needed any extra hand.  She was the Stage Manager for Steel Magnolias and A Party To Murder and worked backstage for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Same Time Next Year.  She encourages anyone who has some spare time to volunteer for Playhouse 51.  No experience necessary!  She says that if she can do it anyone can! 
Kathy Masters
Stage Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Playhouse 51

 

Bringing The Arts Home