Once Upon a Rocking Chair: A Play in Two Acts
A Métis family, the De La Roche women have an annual summer Georgian Bay tradition. Three retired sisters and their three grown daughters spend a week at the cottage drinking wine, reminiscing, and making plans for the future. But this summer is different. Deep-rooted secrets are revealed as the annual festivities become ones that nobody will ever forget. It is a play about family, relationships, work, aging, life, and the validity of ‘happily-ever-after.’
The script is available at the Canadian Play Outlet. It is also in the Pledge Project database.
About the Play
Characters:
THE MOTHERS (Sisters)
EMMA 50s, Rebecca’s mother
SUE 60s, Chelsea’s mother
VERONICA 50s, Tina’s mother
THE DAUGHTERS (Cousins)
REBECCA 20s
CHELSEA 30s
TINA 30s, pregnant
First Produced:
StoneCircle Theatre stage in Ajax, Ontario by Ken Bond in February 2008
Notes:
Originally written in 2008. Rewritten in 2016.
Once Upon a Rocking Chair was first produced on the StoneCircle Theatre stage in Ajax, Ontario by Ken Bond in February 2008. It was directed by Jessica Outram. The set design was by Steve Neving and the stage manager was Dave Edwards. The cast was as follows:
EMMA………………………………….……….Patty Seaton
SUE………………………………………………Fran Stecyk
VERONICA………………………………..….Nancy Palumbo
REBECCA………………………………..……Kristina Maharaj
CHELSEA………………………………………Alyssa Mariano
TINA………………………………………………Melissa Sparacino
Casting suggestions: The mothers are sisters. The daughters could be more diverse as we don’t ever see their fathers.
In September 2014, VOS Theatre in Cobourg hosted a reading of the play at Victoria Hall, led by Bea Quarrie.
The script was substantially revised in June to October 2016.
In May/June 2017 the updated script was staged at The Fire Hall Theatre in Cobourg, ON with Northumberland Players.
Both the 2008 and 2017 productions were nearly sold out.
2017 Gallery: Northumberland Players
My family…who inspired the script 
Dress Rehearsal (Photo Credit: Rick Miller) 
2008 Gallery: StoneCircle Theatre
My Family Who Inspired the Play
We love you, Aunt Estelle! 
Bingo Crown Shenanigans 
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