Maui is very fortunate to have several theater groups that bring quality live theater to our island, and they all deserve the support of the Maui community. That is certainly the case with Maui OnStage's production of "On Golden Pond." I saw the opening performance and it is a delightful presentation of this funny and touching play.
The director has gathered a wonderful ensemble of actors, who all are very believable in their roles. I particularly enjoyed the humor in the show. This cast found the perfect balance between the touching, tender and tense moments in the story and the funny, heartwarming lighter side of these characters and their personality quirks. The humor is never forced, but created so very naturally and spontaneously from the characters and their interactions.
Bill Love and Ann Marie Wilder play Norman and Ethel, the older couple in the story. In their development of the relationship between these characters, they show us the layers of their love and life together. When this play was adapted as a movie, Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn won Academy Awards for their portrayal of these roles.
This ensemble works so well together. The other actors in the play all present very believable characters. The cast received a standing ovation when I was there. This talented group of actors deserves a full house at each performance, so I encourage those who love live theater to go see "On Golden Pond," which plays at the Iao Theater through May 6.
Carla Pew
Kihei
