CONWAY — Aficionados of rural New England characters are in for a treat when the Majestic Theatre in Conway on July 19 hosts Oscar-winning “On Golden Pond” screenplay writer Ernest Thompson of New Hampton in the world premiere of his new one-man show, “Archie Parish’s Parting Words.”

Billed as “poignant, timely and drop-dead funny,” the play is being produced by Sunstreet Productions and Beyond the Barn Productions, the latter of which is run by Kimball Packard of the Farmstand Bed and Breakfast in Tamworth.

Thompson, who was born in Bellows Falls, Vt., plays 12 characters in the play.

“I am hoping audiences will see some truths in Archie and the characters and that they will take away a sense of asking themselves some of those truths in themselves,” the playwright told the Sun a day after sitting down with Maine TV interviewer Rob Caldwell for a chat about his upcoming show.

According to advance notes for the play, Parish, is “not young but youthful and only slightly broken.” He is asked to deliver a eulogy for a man he has sound reason to dislike and tells the truth. An intoxicated mourner, suitably impressed, then begs Archie to do the honors for the drunk’s wife, not completely deceased yet.

Archie reluctantly agrees to visit the woman and is so affected by her poetic ramblings that he rises to the challenge. He then scans the paper for other dead strangers to eulogize — leading his eccentric therapist to question this odd obsession, and also to suggest that Archie visit his medical doctor who’s concerned enough by Archie’s shortness of breath and chronic cough to recommend immediate testing.

Archie consents, provided that the physician inform him which patients among the walking wounded in her waiting room are most likely to kick the bucket. “More eulogies! More benefit added to Archie’s barren life,” notes the advance.

But, alas, the quid pro quo is not a promising diagnosis. It’s called Brugada syndrome, which, left unattended, could kill Archie in a matter of months.

His increasingly impatient shrink demands that Archie come to terms with the harsh reality that when his beloved wife passed away, Archie couldn’t speak at her memorial and thus has been haunted ever since, feeling that he failed her.”

It’s bound to make for an affecting night of theater, offering a mix of heart, humor and hope — all of which are Thompson’s three keys in storytelling, drawing parallels to his own life and experiences.

He says the inspiration for the play came from the funeral of a childhood friend two years ago. He arrived at the church in North Brookfield, Mass., then learned he was to give the eulogy. This came as a surprise to him, but he rose to the occasion, being a man of words and a veteran actor. But the experience made him ponder the very nature of funerals.

“I winged it. I’m pretty good at that. But it really made me think: Why do we do funerals?” Thompson, as energetic and prolific as ever at age 75, told the Sun. “Why do we do celebrations of life? Because a lot of times, you know, you just kind of show up because you’re supposed to, or you show up because you may be missed if you’re not there, or you do it out of respect for the dead … So, it’s just rich material to jump into.”

Playgoers get to experience Archie’s journey, following his pain and revelations along with recognizing the irony and humor that is part of dealing with life.

“We find out in the course of the story, there’s a reason for him (being the way he is),” said Thompson. “He has got to get rid of that demon (we won’t tell what that demon is here, not wanting to spoil the story), and he does it in a very colorful, dramatic, hilarious way. But the audience gets to go on that journey with him, because at first, we don’t know. We don’t know what this guy’s all about just as you don’t know what Norman Thayer’s anger is aboutin ‘On Golden Pond’; you know, why he’s so grouchy and why can’t he remember the neighbors’ name? …. And then you start thinking, let’s stay with it. Let’s see where he’s going to take us.”

Packard, co-proprietor with wife Neysa of the Farmstand Bed and Breakfast, says the premiere at the Majestic is one of four one-night shows he and Thompson have booked so far throughout the state for “Archie’s Parting Words.”

He said he got to know Thompson through mutual friend John Davidson of Sandwich three years ago, which led to a show that year with Thompson — who is a lyricist — Ray Porcell and Justin James, followed by a multi-artist performance at the Farmstand last summer featuring Porcell, James, Davidson and Bruce Marshall with Thompson. “They’re Verdict Records artists,” said Packard. “Ernest has written quite a few songs with Justin and others.”

Thompson is attending the Maine International Film Festival in Waterville, Maine July 11-20, where his short film “The Constituent,” will be screened It stars Mount Washington Valley-raised, Emmy Award-winning actor Gordon Clapp and Thompson, along with Lisa Bostner.

“The Constituent” is adapted from Thompson’s one-act play and tells the story of a small-town New Hampshire voter who has written letters to his senator for decades, leading to an unexpected confrontation. The film is described as emotionally charged, funny, and moving, exploring human connection despite political differences. It explores themes of political engagement, human connection and the potential for understanding despite differing viewpoints.

He and Clapp, who won an Emmy for his portrayal of Detective Greg Medavoy on ABC-TV’s “NYPD Blue” and who has won acclaim in recent years for his one-man show about poet Robert Frost and who now lives in Norwich, Vt., love the chemistry of working together

“We have a mutual friend in Lisa (Bostner, of the Peterborough Players). So, that’s how we met. That film was shot in New Hampshire and is now making the film festival rounds. It’s a great story about finding common ground — something we could all use these days,” said Thompson.

Thompson also wrote “The Book of Maps: A Novel,” in 2022.

Tickets for “Archie Parish’s Parting Words” are $37. For tickets, go to mountaintop.ludus.com or call (603) 447-4737, Ext. 308.