THE LION IN WINTER at DRESSING ROOM THEATRE

“Political maneuvering, intrigue, love, hate, bickering, emotional manipulation, subterfuge, savagery and, most surprisingly, a whole lot of black comedy, that’s what you’ll find in The Lion in Winter,” said Gordon Casagrande, director of Curtain Call’s production playing in The Dressing Room Theatre, Stamford, January 9 – 25.

The Lion in Winter, by James Goldman, is a modern-day classic. Comedic in tone, dramatic in action – the play tells the story of the Plantagenet family, who are locked in a free-for-all of competing ambitions to inherit a kingdom. The queen, and wealthiest woman in the world, Eleanor of Aquitaine, has been kept in prison since raising an army against her husband, King Henry II. Let out only for holidays, the play centers around the inner conflicts of the royal family as they fight over both a kingdom and King Henry’s paramour during the Christmas season 1183.

“This is the second time I’ve produced this show at Curtain Call,” noted executive director, Lou Ursone, “and I’m so glad to be working on it again.” He’s been a big fan of the play since seeing it on stage when he was very young – has seen it many times on other stages – and is very fond of the nearly 60-year-old film version which starred Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn.

“Sometimes people think of old English history as stodgy – boring, but this play is not that,” Ursone said. “Gordon was right on the money with his description while I took a simpler approach relating it to the contemporary series of Real Housewives shows,” Ursone joked.

Casagrande added, “I first saw The Lion in Winter many, many years ago and was immediately captivated by it.  I was a European History major in college and found it fascinating to see famous historical personages brought to life on the stage.  I immediately knew it was a show I wanted to direct, and I'm now getting my chance.”

Both Casagrande and Ursone share an affinity for things historical: they’ve worked on three productions of the musical 1776 together which also presents historical figures in a more human, flawed version than usually seen on paper. Their excitement about the show is visible as they discuss this version, this cast and production team.

“The Lion in Winter is probably not what you expect,” said Casagrande. “It is really not simply an historical drama.  Think of a typical messy, family holiday gathering, but one that has continent-wide dynastic implications. One reviewer called it "emotional bloodsport" set in a medieval court.  I think it will surprise many in the audience,” he added.

The cast features Kyle Runestad as Henry and Jessie Gilbert as Eleanor, with Robert Rosado as Richard, Allon Borenshtein as Geoffrey, Charlie Harper as John, Olivia Lapine as Alais and Patrick Kelly as Phillip. Set design is by Peter Barbieri, Jr., lighting design by Jamie LaJoie, costumes by Robin Mazzola, with stage management led by Jeffrey Bianco.

Performances will be held Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm and Sunday afternoons at 2:00pm from January 9 through 25. There are two Thursday evening, 7:30pm performances on January 15 and 22.

Seating in The Dressing Room Theatre is cabaret-style with a BYOEverything format. Doors open one hour before showtime. Tickets are available at 203-461-6358 or online at www.curtaincallinc.com. Prices range from $28 to $46. Group rates and discounted Flex Passes are also available.

The Dressing Room Theatre is located at the Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT. The Lion in Winter is produced by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals, NY, NY, in cooperation with The City of Stamford. Additional support is provided by the CT Office of the Arts. 
 

Curtain Call was voted Fairfield County's BEST LOCAL THEATRE GROUP ten years running in the Annual Readers' Poll of the Fairfield County Weekly and has received similar “BEST OF” awards from Stamford Magazine and StamfordPlus magazine for 2008 through 2023.

Curtain Call received The Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2011 and the ACE Award for Excellence in Arts & Culture from the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County in 2016.

Authors

• James Goldman