James Goldman News

Following the recent announcement that FOLLIES IN CONCERT will be performed for three performances only in May, exclusive to Melbourne and starring David Hobson (Buddy), Lisa McCune (Sally) and Nancye Hayes (Hattie), Philip Quast (Ben), Anne Wood (Phyllis), Debra Byrne (Carlotta), Cheryl Barker (Heidi), & David Rogers Smith (Roscoe).

Perhaps you're a fan of the new dramatic TV series, 'The Royals,' about a fictional British royal family who face struggles like the death of the heir to the throne, conniving children and assorted romances.

The Vagabond Players continues its 100th season with THE LION IN WINTER, opening today, April 8th, and running through May 8th. Written by James Goldman and directed by Steve Goldklang, this story of the battle for the future of the crown of England between King Henry II and his estranged--but still powerful -- Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, is full of rapier-sharp wit and political drama.

In THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN MUSICAL, Jack Viertel takes about musicals, puts them back together, sings their praises, marvels at their unflagging inventiveness, and occasionally despairs over their more embarrassing shortcomings. In the process, he invites us to fall in love with the art form all over again by showing us how musicals happen, what makes them work, how they captivate audiences, and how one landmark show leads to the next-by design or by accident, by emulation or by rebellion from OKLAHOMA! to HAMILTON and onward.

Storeyboard Entertainment today announced that Bert and Patti Newton will join the all-star cast of FOLLIES IN CONCERT.

Today in 1971, Follies opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, where it ran for 522 performances. Follies is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman. The story concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre, scheduled for demolition, of the past performers of the 'Weismann's Follies,' a musical revue (based on the Ziegfeld Follies), that played in that theatre between the World Wars. The musical was nominated for eleven Tony Awards and won seven. The piece has enjoyed a number of major revivals, and several of its songs have become standards, including 'Broadway Baby', 'I'm Still Here', 'Too Many Mornings', 'Could I Leave You?', and 'Losing My Mind'.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces the lineup of productions for its 2016/17 Season, which will launch in September with August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, directed by Tony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Full-season 6-play subscriptions are on sale now from 732.345.1400 or 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank. Subscribers save 25% on tickets, receive prime seating and a number of additional benefits. Visit tworivertheater.org for more details. Single tickets will go on sale in August 2016.

The Vagabond Players continues its 100th season with THE LION IN WINTER, opening April 8th, and running through May 8th.

A new venue, a new season schedule, intimate productions with a focus on characters and acting- PICT Classic Theatre celebrates its twentieth anniversary with a renewed energy and commitment to its mission of providing high-quality classic theater to Pittsburgh.

Artistic Director Joseph Haj just announced his inaugural mainstage season with The Guthrie Theater.

Full casting has been announced for Promethean Theatre Ensemble's production of James Goldman's The Lion in Winter, according to Brian Pastor, director of this production and artistic director of the company. Leading the cast as King Henry II of England and his wife Eleanor of Acquitaine, the roles immortalized by Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn in the 1968 film version, will be Brian Parry and Elaine Carlson. Parry, a Jeff award winner for supporting actor in Redtwist's Shining City, is a four-time Jeff Award nominee and recently earned raves for his portrayal of George in Redtwist's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf along with his roles in Redtwist's Red and the currently playing The Drawer Boy. Parry has previously appeared with Promethean in The Lark. Carlson was a Jeff winner for Famous Door's Salt of the Earth and was seen recently in Eclipse's A Perfect Ganesh. She has performed previously with Promethean in Tiger at the Gates and A Study in Scarlet.

Following the recent announcement that FOLLIES IN CONCERT will be performed for three performances only in May, exclusive to Melbourne and starring David Hobson (Buddy), Lisa McCune (Sally) and Nancye Hayes (Hattie), further casting for this all-star theatrical event has been announced today.

The Rep's biggest season yet runs September through April at the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, kicking off with Stephen Sondheim's masterwork musical Follies.

For three performances only in May, exclusive to Melbourne, a stellar line-up of Australian musical theatre stars including David Hobson, Lisa McCune and Nancye Hayes will come together for a must-see theatrical event, the celebrated FOLLIES IN CONCERT at the Melbourne Recital Centre.

Let's see now -- older married man with mistress, seething ex-wife, resentful and mistrustful offspring -- where was Dr. Phil? Alas, nowhere in sight in Chinon during the Christmas of 1183, as the powerful English king Henry II has released his imprisoned wife (and sparring partner) Eleanor of Aquitaine and allowed her admittance to a family gathering (along with his mistress Alais). Is it for personal or political reasons? Perhaps a bit of both? Henry, great in stature and accomplishments, has to decide which of his sons (none of whom will historically 'measure up') will become the future King of England. It's a Lear-like choice, and poor Henry has 'slim pickings.' With the oldest son dead, the three remaining are a snarling, disgruntled lot -- in one corner (Eleanor's), there's the pillage-prone Richard (later Richard the Lionhearted, who will spend most of his time abroad); in the other (Henry's), there's the pimply, unwashed, and feckless John (later, a famously unpopular king who will be forced to capitulate to baronial pressure and sign a little document known as the Magna Carta). Oh, yes, and then there's the ignored, Machiavellian Geoffrey, mistrusted by both parents and willing to play anyone on the human chessboard.

The Lion in Winter by James Goldman reigns over the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis January 22 - February 7, 2016. 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,  Eleanor arrives at court during a Christmas furlough and proceeds to scheme to challenge the King's authority and his choice of heir to the throne. The fray engulfs their three sons and French royalty who all lay claim to rule.

Although I've seen the successful 1968 film version of THE LION IN WINTER, I'd never had the opportunity to watch the actual stage play which it's based upon, until now. Maybe it was the washed out prints that turned me off to it initially, but it's an absolute revelation to see The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis' superb production. What always seemed too stage bound and static in the film is vibrant and intense in person. Forget the movie and enjoy the brilliance of James Goldman's script which is brimming with intensity and passion, and full of clever twists and turns. An excellent cast and expert direction make this must-see entertainment that demands your time and attention.

First produced by the company in 1995, during the Campus Theatre's inaugural year as a performing arts venue, Denton Community Theatre (DCT) is proud to present THE LION IN WINTER by James Goldman. Directed by Mildred A. Peveto, this dramatic comedy is based on historical characters and events.

First produced by the company in 1995, during the Campus Theatre's inaugural year as a performing arts venue, Denton Community Theatre (DCT) is proud to present THE LION IN WINTER by James Goldman. Directed by Mildred A. Peveto, this dramatic comedy is based on historical characters and events.

The Lion in Winter by James Goldman reigns over the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis January 22 - February 7, 2016. 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,  Eleanor arrives at court during a Christmas furlough and proceeds to scheme to challenge the King's authority and his choice of heir to the throne. The fray engulfs their three sons and French royalty who all lay claim to rule.