Staged Reading of THE LION IN WINTER

 

Sandy, Matt, Chip, Chris, Heather, Bradley, and Diego on the throne

Last night was our one time only performance of THE LION IN WINTER. With few rehearsals, but an incredible cast, the audience was drawn in to the humor, intelligence, challenge, and emotional release provided by this well-constructed play.

Michigan Theatre of Jackson

We had seventy-six paying guests and made back our expenses by sharing the gate with the Michigan Theatre of Jackson. Our experiment was more successful that we dared hope.

Thanks to Sandy Sykes, who first approached me about this project saying she had always wanted to play Eleanor, then suggested other cast members that we both approved. Sandy found all the humanity in a complicated woman.

And thanks to Diego Febres-Cordero, who should play this role with Sandy in a fully staged production sometime in his life.

Matt Davis, Chip Mezo, and Chris Mezo understood and played their roles with just the right amount of intensity moving the story along with humor and intensity. The audience was fascinated by the family games of who will win the throne.

Heather Yevseyev, the character with the most to lose, was a perfect pawn. She loves Henry but was raised and loved by Eleanor. Her position is fragile and difficult and we watch her begin to make an attempt to assert herself.

Bradley Jayne as the young French King proved he too could play the game. And win.

It's easy to see why all these actors fell in love with THE LION IN WINTER.