ORDINARY PEOPLE - by Nancy Gilsenan

(adapted from the novel and Oscar Award-winning movie by Judith Guest)

OVERVIEW: This play is based on the Oscar-winning “Best Picture” movie starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore and Timothy Hutton, by first-time director Robert Redford, and the best-selling novel by Judith Guest. It explores the complex relationships of an ordinary family struggling to heal from an unexpected tragedy.

PLOT: Teenager Conrad Jarrett is wracked with guilt over the death of his older brother Buck from a boating accident. What's left of Conrad's family – his successful, well-intentioned father and his stylish, organized mother – is in jeopardy, as is Conrad himself. They are "ordinary people" coping with the omnipresent human emotions of grief, loss, guilt, anger, anxiety and depression. This powerful play goes to the root of the Jarretts’ relationships, exploring how the family grows apart in its struggle to heal yet ultimately moves forward with hope.  

WHY THIS PLAY?

In presenting this emotional story, we endeavor to contribute to the conversation within our community around the important issue of mental health. Through the unique experience of live theater, we seek to encourage contemplation and conversation, destigmatize mental illness, and increase empathy for those who are struggling. After all, each of us is an ordinary person who, at any time, could experience sudden hardship like the Jarretts. Our shared understanding of this universal dilemma brings us together and reminds us of our humanity.

RAISING AWARENESS:  We also aim to raise awareness of the many wonderful resources New Canaan and our neighboring communities offer for mental health support. We are especially grateful to Dr. Michael Groat, chief clinical officer at Silver Hill Hospital, for advising our cast and crew as they strive to identify with the characters and for hosting talk-backs with our audiences following each Sunday matinee performance.

TOWN PLAYERS OF NEW CANAAN - HISTORY OF THE POWERHOUSE THEATRE

In 1979, the original Power House to the Waveny Estate, located in what is now Waveny Park, stood empty and purposeless, falling prey to vandalism and deterioration. At the same time, the Town Players of New Canaan were looking for a home, a place to store costumes, build sets and perform. It was a perfect match that the abandoned building and the homeless Town Players should come together. The task of restoring the powerhouse and converting it to a theater, however, was a monumental undertaking and required serious fundraising and the efforts of hundreds of volunteers over a three-year period.  The result is a intimate 115-seat theater for the community to enjoy.

Since opening in 1983, the Town Players of New Canaan at the Powerhouse Theatre has performed hundreds of productions, staged readings, special events, theater educational classes and workshops, run children’s programs, etc., and is still going strong.  During Covid, we had a few months to step back and re-evaluate, and we decided it was time to come back even better!  In working again with the Town of New Canaan, we will be doubling the size of our lobby, updating to current ADA compliant restrooms, and hopefully establishing the additional Shed Theatre on the property to expand our theater education program, and well as providing a black-box theater for unique and intriguing productions.

The Town Players of New Canaan is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit community theater now in our 76th Year.  Established in 1946, we moved from place to place until finding our forever home.  We hope you will join us in your support of the new Powerhouse Performing Arts Center.

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