Players seek essays about intergenerational bonds

FREEHOLD - In today's world, with all the changes in family structure and function due to divorce, illness, physical distance, work schedules and other challenges, developing and maintaining close ties to family members can prove to be very difficult.

Center Players' upcoming production of Ernest Thompson's "On Golden Pond" provides a sensitive look at some of those challenges as they relate to intergenerational relationships. Thompson's comedy-drama explores the bond that develops between a retired professor, Norman Thayer, and his newly acquired step-grandson, Billy Ray. It also touches on daughter Chelsea's attempts to overcome the uneasiness of her relationship with her father.

In conjunction with the production, Center Players is sponsoring an essay contest.

Whether you are the grandparent, the grandchild, the parent, the son or the daughter, the theater group is interested in hearing your story of how an intergenerational bond has created a positive effect on your life. What influence has that relationship had on your life? What has it taught you? Even if you are not related to the person, Center Players would like to hear your story.

There is no limit on the age of contestants. Essays must be an original, previously unpublished work. Submis-sions must be typed, double-spaced and approximately 500 to 1,000 words in length. All pages must be numbered and include a title page with the number of words, the author's name, address and telephone number. The body of the essay should not contain information that will directly identify the author. All submissions are to be sent via e-mail to bgarfield@centerplayers.org. Deadline for submissions is March 7.

Each story will be reviewed for adherence to the rules, clarity, grammatical construction and appropriateness to the theme "Never Too Soon, Never Too Late to Love and Learn." The author of the top essay chosen will receive two free tickets to one of the performances of "On Golden Pond" and their story will be printed in the show's program. The Top 3 essays will be posted on Center Players' Web site.

Center Players' production of "On Golden Pond," directed by Louis Palermo, features Paul Nixon (Norman), Fran Raleigh (Ethel Thayer), Chris Dubrow (Billy), Maryann Keseday (Chelsea), Anthony Cipriano (Billy Ray) and Tom DeCaro (Charlie Martin). The play will run from March 2 through April 1. Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 8 p.m. Sunday performances will start at 2 p.m.

Center Players is at 35 South St., Freehold. Tickets may be purchased by calling (732) 462-9093 or through their Web site at www.centerplayers.org. Tickets are $24 each with special pricing for seniors, students and groups of 10 or more. Dinner packages are available by arrangement with the downtown Free-hold restaurants Metropolitan Cafe, Paci and Solo Trattoria.