[NEohioPAL] The Lion in Winter -- at Weathervane Playhouse through Oct. 28

[Jan Harcar]

Talk about your family feuds!

THE LION IN WINTER

Weathervane Playhouse October 10 - 28

Tickets:  330-836-2626 or weathervaneplayhouse.com

The time is Christmas 1183. At first it seems that poor Eleanor hasn't a ball in her court. She's been her husband's prisoner in the castle for 10 years, and she's about to lose out in the struggle for the succession to the throne. Henry wants to be succeeded by his youngest son, the unpleasant John; Eleanor wants the throne to go to her oldest boy, the warrior Richard. The other son, Geoffrey, just isn't considered at all.

The Lion in Winter features fascinating historical characters who swirl with devious plots and devilish schemes in this pseudo-historical piece of wit. The action revolves around Henry's skilled tricks in outwitting his three hostile sons and his sarcastically vindictive wife. The lion applies to his capacity for roaring and his general forcefulness. It's Eleanor, however, who counters all of Henry's wit at one point asking, "Well, what shall we hang?" asks Eleanor, "the holly or each other?" The only difference from a modern family is that she means it literally! An entertaining clash of wills. Jolly good fun!

THE LION IN WINTER will be onstage at Weathervane Playhouse October 10 - 28, 2007.

About the Playwright

James Goldman, playwright, died at the age of 71 in Manhattan on October 28, 1998. Goldman was a screenwriter and novelist as well as playwright and won an Academy Award for his adaptation of The Lion in Winter. Although Goldman covered a wide variety of subjects, history was a specialty. In addition to The Lion in Winter, he wrote the screenplay for Nicholas and Alexandra and a novel, Myself as Witness, about King John, who rules England in the 13th century. His play, They Might be Giants, was produced in London in 1961 and was later turned into a movie starring George C. Scott and Joanne Woodward. In 1965 Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman collaborated on a musical about a reunion of Ziegfeld Follies actresses. The show was originally a murder mystery and evolved into Follies.

Our Director

Rohn Thomas (AEA, SAG) produces and directs short films for Kent State University where he teaches Acting for the Camera. His previous directing efforts at Weathervane include Cocktail Hour, Translations, Master Harold.and the boys and Medea. Other directing credits include City of Angels and The Value of Names at the Cleveland Jewish Community Center and The Odd Couple, How I Got That Story and Painting Churches at the Beck Center. Rohn was recently seen in the role of Smee in Porthouse Theatre's Peter Pan this past summer.

The Cast

Dick Reiss -- Henry 

Dede Klein -- Eleanor 

Derrick J. Winger -- Richard

Scott Shriner -- Geoffrey

Andrew Morton -- John

Amanda Davis -- Alais

Jason Davis -- Philip

What family doesn't have its ups and downs? THE LION IN WINTER at Weathervane Playhouse October 10 - 28, 2007. Low-cost previews October 10 & 11 at 7:30 p.m. with official opening Friday, October 12 at 8 p.m. Other performances are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Charge by phone at Weathervane's Ticket Office at 330-836-2626 or purchase tickets online at www.weathervaneplayhouse.com. Call between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

Mondays or between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Tickets: $14 - $20 (Wed. & Thurs previews $14, Children 17 or younger $16, College Students and Senior Citizens $18 on Thursdays and Sundays. Half-price student rush tickets may be purchased at the door with I.D. pending availability.

The Lion in Winter is a Project STAGE production. Study Guides, schoolday performances and reduced ticket prices are available. The play is recommended for audiences age 12+. (Project STAGE is supported by Akron Community Foundation, the Sisler McFawn Foundation and OMNOVA Solutions Foundation.
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