Despite the rain and chill of a February evening in old Napa town, the Dreamweavers Theatre production of "On Golden Pond" warmed the hearts and triggered the memories of an appreciative audience at the cozy theater on Imola Avenue.

"On Golden Pond" won Academy Award film Oscars in 1981, for Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn and for the play's author, Ernest Thompson and a troupe of Dreamweavers actors did honor to that classic with their skills and amazing talents Saturday night.

The story is really a simple one. Norman Thayer Jr., a retired college professor and his faithful wife, Ethel, open their summer cottage in Maine for the 48th year and to celebrate Norman's 80th birthday, an age and idea he hates. Ethel has talked their divorced daughter Chelsea, a "free spirit," into returning to Golden Pond. Chelsea does, after an eight year absence, hoping to at last heal the wounds and close the rift between she and her crusty and ever-critical dad, whose love she so desperately craves.

Along with Chelsea comes her latest boyfriend, Bill Ray, a divorced Los Angeles dentist and his "hip" talking 13-year-old son, Billy.

Chelsea has a "small" favor to ask, and Ethel agrees to look after Billy for a month while daughter and boyfriend vacation in Europe. With some gentle yet firm persuasion, Ethel gets Norman to say, "Sure -- why not!"

Tom Andrews does a masterful job playing Norman, a crotchety old man, angry at turning 80 years of age and scared of losing his faculties. Then there's Rose Marie Sweeney, who handles the role of Ethel Thayer with great skill and with love and understanding of a husband who has seen better days. As I watched and listened to Tom and Rose Marie, they in fact became the Thayers.

Enter Chelsea with her baggage in the persons of Bill Ray and Billy. Chelsea and her latest boyfriend take off on their one-month European vacation, and within that month, young Billy becomes Norman's pal and give the old man a reason for living. Helen Jane Heam plays Chelsea, and the part fits her like a glove while Robert Silver as dentist Bill deftly sidesteps Norman's barbs. And then there is Krystal! who did an excellent job as a California street kid who broke through Norman's armor and became a friend and savior.

Last, but certainly not least, there's Victor Davis who delivers the mail by boat. In his role as Charlie Martin, mailman, good ole Charlie continues his one-sided, life-long love affair with Chelsea and his stage presence is outstanding. Victor, by the way, has the greatest Maine accent I ever heard from anyone not born in the Pine Tree State.

In my case, Norman's words rang loud and clear when I heard him reading the newspaper. "What the hell is wrong with those Red Sox and Orioles?" and "Look at those Yankees!" My words exactly as I read the daily sports news.

But, there's something else in that play that hits home. From the moment young Billy enters Norman's life, a miracle takes place. The old man's steps develop a spring to them and suddenly there's a life ahead well worth living. They become instant pals and when young Billy returns to California, Norman knows he'll see the son he never had, again. I can relate to that scene because it happened to me. From an "over the hill" guy in retirement, lonely and lost in a world that seemed to get away from him, one young boy and now that boy's kid brother have worked the same magic on me. Just like Norman Thayer Jr., I'm young again and there's nothing I can't do.

So an evening at the Dreamweavers, enjoying "On Golden Pond" is an evening well spent. Thanks to a fine story and outstanding acting by a unique troupe directed by June Alane Reif and Assistant Director Mark Mautner, we, the fortunate audience, took something home to remember and cherish.

"On Golden Pond" has five performances to go, so there is still time remaining to see this first-rate production. Tickets are available for performances on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The final performances are March 3 and 4 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $18 general, $15 seniors/students/military and $15 for groups of 10 or more. For information and reservations, call 255-LIVE (5483)

Ev Parker can be reached at evjenpar@mailbug.com or 224-9956.