The Lion in Winter
January 23 - Feb 7, 2004

written by James Goldman, directed by Nikolette Adams

 THE CAST

(in order of appearance)

Henry II Plantagenet.....BERNARD DICASIMIRRO
Alais Capet .....SHANNON LAMBERT-RYAN
John Plantagenet.....ANDREW FLOTHMEIER
Geoffrey Plantagenet.....DENNIS DOUGHERTY
Richard Plantagenet.....MARK CAIRNS
Eleanor of Aquitaine .....HAZEL EDWARDS
King Philip of France.....MARK PARKER

Director’s Notes:

 In the twelfth century, the right of the English kings was still a fragile thing. Civil wars, murder, and pretenders to the throne could easily interfere with the type of hereditary succession which is now taken for granted in England. Additionally, England's holdings were not confined to the area now known as the British Isles; England also had extensive holdings on the Continent, principally in France, which caused great consternation in the dukes of the various French provinces, as well as in the kings themselves.

 In this political atmosphere we find the theme of The Lion in Winter: family betrayal and intrigue, as illustrated by seven royals of the time. All are quick witted, intelligent and cunning, but also greedy and ambitious. Each one cheats and connives for personal gain and political power. Buried in the dysfunction of the seven people whose lives we peer into is humor, love, longing, regret, bitterness… in other words, everything we find in ourselves and our lives in 2004.    

It’s been a joy to direct this production, to research and attempt to recreate an era not often depicted on local stages, as well as to work with an insightful assistant director and a talented cast in a combined endeavor to touch both your funny-bone and your heart.  I hope you feel we’ve met the challenge.

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 ABOUT THE PLAYERS

BERNARD J. DICASIMIRRO (Henry II)  Bernard has been in love with the theatre since the fourth grade.  This is his first production with BCF.  Over the past ten years, he has acted and directed with many local theatre companies.  He is fond of saying he has been on stages from Skippack to Haddonfield.  Among his favorite roles are the Fool in King Lear, John in Lips Together, Teeth Apart, Jody in Lonely Planet, Brown in Great God Brown and John Proctor in The Crucible, which paired him with our own Nikolette Adams as Elizabeth.  He directed last season’s production of Steel Magnolias for The Bridgeplayers.  He is currently working on D.H. Lawrence’s The Daughter in Law both as director and actor for the NJ Theatre League Festival in March.  Off stage, he is a psychiatrist.  He thanks John for his continued love and support.

SHANNON LAMBERT-RYAN (Alais)  Shannon is a recent graduate of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and is making her debut with BCF.  As an actor, singer and dancer, she works as an historical interpreter for Historic Philadelphia, Inc., most recently portraying Betsy Ross.  Past credits include Polly Peachum in The Beggars Opera, Cinderella in Into the Woods, Cleopatra in David Edgar’s Pentecost, and Eileen in Leonard Bernstein’s Wonderful Town.  Currently, Shannon is completing work as a featured extra in M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming film, The Woods, set for release later this year. She wishes her fellow cast and crew much luck and thanks her family and friends for their constant love and support, without whom experiences like these would not be possible.  Yebo!

ANDREW FLOTHMEIER (John)  Andrew is ecstatic to be in the cast and on stage again. More often seen (or not seen!) behind the scenes, he is back on the boards after a two-year hiatus.  He wishes to thank all of those who have supported him.

DENNIS DOUGHERTY (Geoffrey)  Dennis was first drawn to the stage when he played a crying Indian baby in a skit for his Cub Scout pageant.  Since then, he has worked throughout NJ, NY and PA as an actor, director and stage manager.  He has appeared at BCF as Miles Jarvis in The Swan Song and as Lord John in The Elephant Man.  Favorite roles include Bobby in American Buffalo, Harding in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Gus Sharkey in Leader of the Pack, Eugene in Grease, Titus Savage in The Curious Savage and Mike in Lovers and Other Strangers.  Dennis was also the winner of the Best Male Cameo Award last year for his appearance in Singin’ in the Rain.  Directing credits BCF’s Season Opener, The Glass Menagerie, Vanities (BCF’s entry to the 2003 NJ Theatre League Festival), Our Town at Haddonfield Plays and Player, Beyond Therapy, It’s Only a Play, Beehive and Belles, among others.

MARK CAIRNS (Richard)  Mark wandered in seeking refuge from a Dilbertesque world of small gray cubicles. A Shakespeare buff, Mark has recently appeared as Orsino in Twelfth Night, Autolycos in The Winter’s Tale, and Flute the angry cross-dresser in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  He would like to thank (or blame) his fiancée Mitzi and his brother Mike, for making him do this.

HAZEL EDWARDS (Eleanor)  Hazel is delighted to be back on stage after a seven year hiatus.  She has previously won Best Actress Awards for her performance of Dianna in California Suite, Catherine Sloper in The Heiress and Barbara Jackson in Pack of Lies.  She has directed for both BCF and The Ritz.  By day she acts as a second grade teacher and by night is engaged in musical activities, teaching violin and viola, playing string quartets and playing in the Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey.

MARK PARKER (Philip)  Mark is absolutely thrilled and honored to be a part of The Lion in Winter cast!  He was last seen in The Odyssey in October and Godspell  in July at Moorestown High School, where he attends as a junior.  This is his second time performing at BCF - May of 2003, he was in Singin’ in the Rain with a talented and fun cast with whom he had the time of his life!  Mark has recently performed in front of the camera in a supporting role in the independent film Wait a Minute.  For the past two summers, he has been an assistant director for children’s shows at Moorestown High School.  In the summer of 2003, he helped with The Music Man, Jr. and Annie in 2002, enjoying every minute of it. Mark thanks the cast, crew, friends and family for such love, support and enjoyment of his work.

About the Director …..NIKOLETTE ADAMS has directed for local theatre for more than ten years, winning many local, state and regional directing awards, as well as the American Association of Community Theatre’s Outstanding Achievement in Directing Honor in 2001.  Actors under her direction have earned awards on the local, state, regional and national levels.  For BCF, she has recently directed The Swan Song, The Elephant Man and A View from the Bridge.  She last appeared on stage at BCF as Amanda Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie.

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