A razor-sharp battle for power comes to Parker Players Theater Company
This winter, Parker Players Theater Company invites audiences to step inside a castle where power is currency, love is leverage, and family is the most dangerous battlefield of all. From Feb. 6 through March 1, PPTC presents “The Lion in Winter,” James Goldman’s razor-sharp historical drama, directed by Jocelyn Adamski.
Set during Christmas of 1183, “The Lion in Winter” imagines a volatile holiday reunion between King Henry II of England and his estranged wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of history’s most formidable women. Temporarily released from prison, Eleanor joins Henry and their three grown sons in a French castle, where the question of succession hangs heavy in the cold winter air. Who will inherit the crown? And how far will each family member go to secure power, love or revenge?
What unfolds is a thrilling battle of intellect and will. Alliances form and fracture by the hour, affection turns on a dime, and every line of dialogue lands with surgical precision. Though set in the 12th century, Goldman’s play feels strikingly modern, wickedly funny, emotionally charged and unflinchingly honest about ambition, marriage and the cost of legacy.
“This play is a master class in language and acting,” artistic director Jennifer McHugh said. “It’s epic in scope but deeply intimate. The stakes are enormous, yet the conflicts are painfully human. At its heart, ‘The Lion in Winter’ is about family. How we wound one another, how we compete for approval and how love and cruelty often coexist.”
Audiences can expect a production that leans into the immediacy of the story. PPTC’s intimate performance space places viewers close to the action, where every glance becomes a challenge and every silence carries weight. With a strong ensemble cast and a seasoned creative team, this production promises tension, wit and performances that crackle from start to finish.
First produced on Broadway in 1966 and later adapted into an Academy Award-winning film, “The Lion in Winter” has endured for decades because of its brilliant writing and timeless themes. In an era still defined by political maneuvering, fractured families and battles over succession — both literal and metaphorical — the play feels as urgent as ever.
Performances run evenings at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28, with matinees at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 8, 15 and 22 and March 1, at The Barrington, 540 W. Northwest Hwy., Barrington.
Tickets and additional information are available at parkerplayerstheater.org.
Parker Players Theater Company, a Barrington-based nonprofit, is known for producing intimate, artist-driven work inspired by Chicago’s vibrant theater tradition. With “The Lion in Winter,” PPTC continues its mission to bring bold, compelling stories to the local stage, reminding audiences that when language is sharp and performances are fearless, live theater remains unmatched.