Dinner theater a 'Golden' entertainment opportunity

Ernest Thompson's classic drama "On Golden Pond" will be staged as dinner theater at the WestCoast Kalispell Center Hotel on Sept. 1-3 and as a brunch theater on Sept. 4.

Dinner is at 6:30 p.m., with the show at 8 p.m. The brunch is at 12:30 p.m., with the performance at 2 p.m.

This production features local actors Bruce Cusker as Norman Thayer and Mary Reckin as his patient and protective wife, Ethel.

Cusker has been a featured director and actor with the Bigfork Summer Playhouse for 10 years, as well as directing and starring in "Over the River and Through the Woods" with Reckin for the Bigfork Community Players. He is a longtime resident of Great Falls.

Reckin directed for the Bigfork platyers from 1994 thorugh 1999, then went on to found the Kalispell Repertory, which ran successfully until her departure to Libby, where she served as managing and artistic director for the Kootenai Heritage Council.

Since her return to the Flathead in 2003, she has been seen in "I Hate Hamlet" in Bigfork, and directed "Ladies First" at the KM Theatre in April.

Other actors include Lisa Schlange and Tony Nelson, both seen with Reckin in "The Golden Age" at the White Oaks Grand Dinner Theater; Casey Brown, a teenager who has appeared on Broadway and is a veteran of last season's Bigfork Summer playhouse; and Steve Weston, who performed in "Over the River" and has directed and acted for the community players for five years.

Dinner or brunch show tickets are $35, with a limited number of $12 show-only tickets. Tickets are available at the WestCoast Hotel desk or by calling 751-5050.