Community Corner
The Lion In Winter
WHAT: “The Lion
in Winter.” A play.
WHO: Written by
James Goldman. Directed by Michael Cooper. Presented by Sierra Madre Playhouse.
ADMISSION: $25.
Seniors (65+) and students (13-17), $22. Children 12 and under, $15.
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“The
Lion in Winter,” a comedic drama, takes place in King Henry II of England’s
castle at Chinon, France at Christmastime, 1183. King Henry has three surviving
sons by his estranged wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine: Richard (The Lionheart),
Geoffrey and John. Henry wants the kingdom to stay united after his death, but
all three sons want to rule and it is likely to be torn apart by revolution. He
favors the youngest, John, while Eleanor favors the eldest, Richard. Middle son
Geoffrey hopes to play both ends against each other and come out on top. And,
fuel is added to the yule log fire by King Henry wanting to have another heir
by his mistress-in-residence, Alais. When King Henry and Eleanor maneuver
against each other to position their favorite son in line for succession, they
raise domestic turmoil to an art form.
“The
Lion in Winter,” originally produced on Broadway in 1966 and made into an
Academy Award winning film in 1968, is an enduringly popular stage comedy that
combines keen historical insight with humor that bristles and burns.
James
Goldman (1927-1998) is the playwright. His other works for Broadway included
“Follies” (with Stephen Sondheim), “A Family Affair,” and “Blood, Sweat and
Stanley Poole.” He also collaborated with Sondheim for television, on “Evening
Primrose.” Goldman’s hit films included “Nicholas and Alexandra,” “Robin and
Marian,” “White Nights,” and “They Might Be Giants” (based on his play), and
“The Lion in Winter” (based on his play).
The
award-winning Michael Cooper directs. His long resume includes many shows in
Los Angeles and Chicago. His local credits include the acclaimed Sierra Madre
Playhouse production of “To Kill A Mockingbird”; “One for the Road”; “The Lies of Handsome Men”; “Beyond Me-
A Docu-Musical”; “Two Men Losing Their Minds”; “Welcome Signs”; much more.
Cooper’s
cast for “The Lion In Winter” stars John Rafter Lee as King Henry and Diane
Hurley as Queen Eleanor. With: Clay Bunker, Adam Burch, Macleish Day and
Alison Lani.
John
Rafter Lee’s stage credits include “Stuff Happens”, “Homebody/Kabul” and
“Arcadia” at the Mark Taper Forum. Diane Hurley has been seen on stage in
“A Delicate Balance” at Pacific Resident Theatre, the National Tours of “Nine
The Musical” and “The Gingerbread Lady” and is the recipient of Chicago’s coveted
Joseph Jefferson Award and Sarah Siddons Award.