CLVT’s River Street Playhouse production of ‘The Lion in Winter’ is majestic
Good theater, be it small black box productions all the way to elaborate touring Broadway extravaganzas, have one thing in common...Passion. With all the pitfalls that live performances face it is a vital ingredient and without it theater as we know it would not exist.
In the case of James Goldman’s “The Lion in Winter” (now on stage for two more performances at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre’s River Street Playhouse) the production back story is as fascinating as the show itself.
It began at Don and Kate Bernardo’s backyard fire pit where “theatre folks” and “civilians” would gather when the weather cooperated. When the conversation came to the subject of “bucket list” roles Don mentioned his love of “The Lion in Winter” and how he would like to play King Henry with his wife as Eleanor. At that point his friend and fellow theater conspirator Bob McCoy remarked that he would LOVE to direct that production. Unfortunately, Bob passed away before a venue could be arranged.
On the bright side, Don and Kate got their wish to star together at CVLT’s River Street Playhouse just west (left and down a hundred yards or so to the parking lot of the main theater). As part of the bargain, Don got to direct as well. Thus the performances are lovingly dedicated to the fond memory of Bob McCoy. That is passion.
It is Christmas, 1183 at King Henry’s castle at Chinon, France. The 50 year old monarch has had a good run having united Great Britain (England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales) as well as having taken half of France in the bargain (which explains their “holiday home”). At the festive celebration Henry has invited Queen Eleanor from her imprisonment at Old Sarum in England where she has been held ever since she organized a rebellion against her husband (picky, picky, picky).
They are joined by their sons Richard (later to be “The Lion Hearted”), Geoffrey (the self proclaimed “favorite son” of Henry) and John who eventually became king as well. Phillip, the king of France is in attendance hoping to gain back some French property through negotiations. Lastly, there is Alais (pronounced “Alice”) who is Henry’s mistress and Phillip’s sister and bargaining chip in the various family mediations.
Henry has realized that he is old (much older than he ever expected to be) and it is time to decide on an heir to the throne. The problem is he does not have a whole lot to work with. Richard is a great warrior but lacks administrative skills. Geoffrey is a “nice guy” but lacks the cunning to be a true monarch even though he sneakily instigates rebellions with the aid of Henry’s enemies behind the old king’s back. John would become king by default when Richard gets imprisoned in Germany as he was returning from yet another unsuccessful Crusade. This is the King John of “Robin Hood” fame. When Richard returns John is banished, later reconciled and returned as king at Richard’s death in 1199.
What plays out in this historecmedy (historical comedy) is a series of negotiations, arguments, back stabbings and bargaining ploys that has Henry changing his mind with the tolling of each hour. For a man who has united all of Great Britain (as it would be later know as) and owns half of France through marriage to Eleanor and outright thievery he has very little control on his own family and is frustrated at every turn. Everyone wants something different yet the same. It is good to be king but a pain in the ass to be a father to princes.
As for the performance, though it runs a bit long (a little over two hours with intermissions) the production values are excellent. The bare stage is furnished sparingly with two chairs, a table and an end table (on which sits a pewter pitcher and two pewter goblets). Later in the wine cellar/dungeon a small barrel of drink is introduced. This sparse setting allows the superb acting to show through. Costuming is just enough to to convey the time period with small touches of elegance to show their royal status.
Don Bernardo as Henry is fantastic. At times gentle, at times a blowhard, at times totally mystified by his family he shifts from mood to mood with ease. Kate Williams-Bernardo as Eleanor brings a gentleness coupled with a shrewd mind for compromise. Stephen Berg as Richard brings “The Lion Hearted” to life who is equal to Henry. John Hickman as Geoffrey plays “the lessor of the three” extremely well bordering on whining without crossing that line. James Pierce Litteral as John plays the perfect “in the middle”. Kameryn R. Roubanes as Alais plays the role of “kept woman” very well with meekness until things go too far for her liking. John-Paul Whitman as Phillip is well suited as the role of young king set against the more experienced Henry. The show is aptly directed by Don Bernardo and Micki McNiece does a great job with the sound and lighting operation.
Another well kept theater secret is CVLT’s River Street Playhouse with its 50+ seats it is the perfect place to witness a fine historical drama with comedy. Satire abounds as father, mother, brothers, mistress and French royalty vie for attention and personal gain. Two shows are left so hurry to purchase tickets.
The Chagrin Valley Little Theatre production of “The Lion in Winter will be on stage in the CVLT River Street Playhouse for two more performances: Saturday, November 7th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 8th at 2:00 p.m. For more information and tickets go to https://cvlt.org/ or call (440) 247-8955.
Comments