SRO Theatre's Season Continues with Witty Drama THE LION IN WINTER

SRO Theatre Company's 2016-2017 season continues with The Lion In Winter, James Goldman's witty drama about family dysfunction and royal intrigue.

The production presented in association with Warehouse Theatre and directed by SRO Theatre Artistic Director Kristofer Green, will play the Columbus Performing Arts Center's Shedd Theatre beginning with a preview performance on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The Tony award winning play officially opens Friday, January 27 and will run through Sunday, February 5, 2017.

As historical fiction, this modern classic pits Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine (after a decade of imprisonment for her part in a rebellion) against her husband King Henry II of England. When Eleanor arrives at court during a Christmas furlough she proceeds to scheme and plot to challenge the King's authority and his choice of heir to the throne. The fray engulfs their three sons, the warrior Richard, the conniving Geoffrey and the bumble headed John, as well as the French King who all lay claim to rule.

Winner of a 1966 Tony Award for RoseMary Harris (Eleanor), the play was adapted into an Academy Award winning film in 1968 starring Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn

James Goldman, an American playwright, novelist, and screenwriter, was honored with an Academy Award for the screen adaptat ion of The Lion in Winter. He is also the author of the screenplays for Robin and Marion , Nicholas and Al exandra, and White Nights; and the book for Stephen Sondh eim's stage musical Follies.

Mr. Goldman's first play on Broadway was a comedy about life in the army, Blood, Sweat, and Stanley Poole (1961), written with his brother William. Other work for the stage includes A Family Affair, a collaboration with John Kander; Evening Primrose (1966), his second collaboration with Mr. Sondheim; Oliver Twist (1982), Anna Karenina (1985), Anastasia: The Myste ry of Anna (1986), and T olstoy (1996).

The Lion in Winter features a talented local cast that includes Aaron Sinclair (Henry II), Joyce Leahy (Eleanor), Justin King (Richard), Jordan Shear (Geoffrey), Tom Murdock (John), Grace Rinehart (Alais Capet) and S amuel Bowen Partridge (King Philip).

Showtimes: 8 p.m. Friday Jan. 27, 8 p.m. Saturday Jan. 28, 2 p.m. Sunday Jan. 29, 10:30 a.m. Friday Feb. 3, 8 p.m. Friday Feb. 3, 8 p.m. Saturday Feb. 4, 2 p.m. Sunday Feb. 5

Tickets: $20, $18 for students and senior citizens

One of Columbus' oldest not-for-profit theaters, has won international acclaim for the quality of productions, its depth and diversity and the excellence of its many community programs. Under the guidance of Artistic Director Kristofer Green, SRO is committed to producing both classic and contemporary works that break cultural and generational boundaries.