[NEohioPAL] Canal Fulton Players- Lion in Winter receives extended ovations

[DVangaasbe at aol.com]

Ovations Greet Performances of The Lion In  Winter
 
 The cast of The Lion in Winter was greeted with extended  ovations on all 
three nights this past weekend at the Canal Fulton Players’  theatre at the 
United Methodist Church of Canal Fulton, 363 West Cherry Street,  Canal 
Fulton, Ohio.  The story of King Henry II and his queen, Eleanor of  Aquitaine, 
during the Christmas Court of 1183 revolves around the statement made  by 
Eleanor after another fight with Henry, “What family doesn’t have its ups and 
 downs.”  Treachery, greed, revenge, anger, and all of those other good bad 
 things are examined as Henry II decides who will succeed him as King of 
England  and how he will be able to hold unto the successor’s fiance, Alais, 
who just  happens to be his mistress.  This is kind of a medieval reality 
show in  which “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf” meets “Robin Hood.”
Giving a  kingly performance is Ken Hehmeyer, who still shows that he is 
able to fight  long hard fights with his stage sons who are more than half his 
age.  Ken,  who brags that he is sixty four years of age, brings a nasty 
twinge to a part  that requires the actor to be lovable but not likable.  That 
means that you  hate the character but cannot wait for him or her to return 
to the stage.   Ken does not play Henry II.  He is Henry II.
As Eleanor, Cindy  Bagocius gives a rather sinister performance to a woman 
who on the surface  exudes warmth and concern but below is a boiling pot of 
rage and intrigue.   Cindy, who normally is the one who is cast as the 
person who brings milk and  cookies, plays the part as a master chess player.  
Nothing will get in her  way to make her favorite son, Richard, King of 
England.  Yet, she has an  Achilles heel which is her love for Henry no matter how 
many mistresses he  has.
The three sons are played by Matt King (Richard), Tyler Brewer  (Geoffrey), 
and Josh Rowe (John).  Matt is perfectly cast as Richard, the  purveyor of 
slaughter and war.  He hates Eleanor but loves her also since  she was the 
one who raised him during the time of four civil wars which she  started 
against Henry.  This complex man who can be a poet while killing  comes to life 
with an expert twist from Matt, who is not afraid to push around  anyone who 
gets in his way.  Women are not a major factor in his life, just  ask 
Phillip of France.
Tyler has the difficult part of playing  Geoffrey, a man who is brilliant 
in his estimations of high office and  diplomacy, but who is hated and 
neglected by his parents.  As he states,  “Why is it when someone offers something 
to someone, no one mentions  Geoffrey.”  Tyler gives a performance in which 
his character is resigned to  the idea that his parents do not like him 
even though he is probably the best to  assume the crown.
Josh is a revelation as John, the sixteen year old  boy who is being pushed 
into the role of king by Henry and is thoroughly ill  prepared for the job. 
 Alais hates him since he not only schemes behind  Henry’s back but he also 
has a horrible habit of poor hygiene.  Josh, who  has to make several leaps 
over furniture in this play, shows a dexterity of an  Olympic high jumper 
and does not seem to be bothered if for some reason he  knocks the bar down.
Alais is played by Amiee Jarzenski, a young  actress who stole everyone’s 
heart as Annelle in Steel Magnolias.  Amiee  came on the scene one week 
before opening night when the original actress came  down with a bad case of 
bronchitis and could not continue.  Amiee not only  memorized the lines but came 
up with a different perspective of Alais.  The  cast quickly changed its 
perception of Alais, who was far more than a sweet  girl.  She proved to be an 
adept fighter for what she wanted.
The  sinister King of France, Phillip, is played by Craig May, who plays 
the  Plantagenet family like a violin.  Craig is thirty four and had to play a 
 character who is half that age.  Yet, Craig shows an incredible range in  
making his portrayal very believable.  As he states to Henry that he will  
hear Henry squeal like a trussed up live pig being cooked, he reveals the  
treachery of the Princes of England as they attempt to take over the throne of 
 England.
The play will continue on October 29-31 at 7:30 pm at the  United Methodist 
Church of Canal Fulton, 363 West Cherry Street, Canal Fulton,  Ohio.  The 
cost of admission is $8.00 for adults and $6.00 for seniors and  children 
under the age of twelve.  Some children under the age of fourteen  have seen 
the play and liked it.
For further information, reservations,  or directions call David Van 
Gaasbeek at 330-494-1022 or  330-854-4387.
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