Pass Christian Theatre to Present the Lion in Winter

Christmas 1183, an aging and conniving King Henry II plans a reunion where he hopes to name his successor. Laced with wry and mordant humor, The Lion in Winter tells the story of a truly dysfunctional family, but one that was the most powerful in Europe. Henry the Second and his queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, held sway over England and more than half of France. It was not a marriage made in heaven.

Eleanor had been imprisoned for ten years for her part in a rebellion and was meeting the king, their three sons, the young king of France and Henry’s young ward and mistress for a brief Christmas reprieve from prison. During the stay, every kind of trickery and device is used by the parents and the sons as they jockey for the succession. Alliances are made and unmade and intrigues abound. There is a delicious war of wits among all the characters using purposely anachronistic dialogue to heighten what is a thrilling, essentially true story.

This brilliant comedy captivated Broadway with Robert Preston and Rosemary Harris, who won a Tony for Best Actress, and went on to triumph as a film with Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn winning her third of four academy awards for her performance.

Come enjoy this spectacular cast directed by Will Koolsbergen: Jerry Varvel as King Henry II; Carole Vann as Eleanor of Aquitaine; Jamie Temple as Richard the Lionhearted; Justin Kind as Geoffrey; Aaron Rishel as John; Harry Clarke as King Philip; and Helani Scurfield as Alais.

Pass Christian Theatre Project’s The Lion in Winter will open The Randolph Community Center, Pass Christian on Thursday, December 11th. Performances will run December 11th, 12th, 13th, and 18th, 19th, and 20th at 7:30 p.m. Doors open 7 p.m. Rated: PG. Tickets are on sale now: Call Pass Christian Main Street at 228-452-3315 or email info@passmainstreet.com.