The Lion in Winter

“A work of intelligence, astringent wit, and much theatrical skill.”-The New York Times

Showing now through April 29, 2012

The traditional Gala Performance is on April 28 at 7:30 PM.

Thats a special night featuring complimentary Korbel champagne, wines, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, non-alcoholic beverages, and an evening of acerbic laughs and matchless wit. Your $35 donation is Tax-deductible.

All other performances are:
* Fridays & Saturdays at 8PM
* Sunday matinees at 2PM
* Fridays are “Pay What You Can”
* all other performances are $15 General admission and $12 Seniors over 60 and Students with ID
* Still the lowest priced live theater experience in Sonoma County!

Watch “The Lion in Winter” Slide Show

Comedy on the Edge

A play about a dysfunctional family? Nothing new about that. In this family, however, things are just a little different. For one thing, the year is 1183 AD; and for another, these family members are English royalty (with a French king and his sister thrown in for good measure).

Welcome to James Goldman’s The Lion in Winter, where Henry II dukes it out with his estranged and rich queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, along with their scheming sons, John, Geoffrey and Richard (yes, that’s the Lionhearted one). There’s plenty of psychological weaponry here, but also plenty of potential knife-play, imprisonment, decapitation, warfare and banishment: all the fun toys that royals like to play with.

And play they do, with plots and counter-plots, witty dialogue, threats, lies and betrayals, a ll worthy of the Bard himself. But they also engage in very Shakespearean moments of biting humor, emotional beauty and endearment that we have grown to cherish.

Henry, Eleanor, and their twisted offspring are ancient historical figures from the distant past. But they remind us of people we know. They are, in a word, accessible; and quite potently so. They speak in modern language — embellished with a few contemporary metaphors and random anachronisms along with smart alliteration and clever descriptions of each other—so that we can readily identify with them, and even care about them. We also get to chuckle and laugh at them, an excellent way to develop an understanding of ourselves in the process.

The play takes place on Christmas Eve for a family get together. Henry allows Eleanor one day out of prison for the Sacred Holiday. (Yes, she’s been there for ten years). This offers her the opportunity to plot against him once more with the help of her favored son, Richard. Yes, Richard is an ambitious warrior who is willing to go along with her ploys to grab everything he desires.

Geoffrey, the least favored, is “a device…he’s wheels and gears” always plotting with whoever has the advantage in order to gain power for himself and maybe become king after all have fallen. John, Daddy‘s favorite, is too indolent and a profligate to guard the advantages his father keeps planning for him. He’s always “ruining everything” and will “never learn”.

Throw in French Princess Alais, another attractive prize, and Richard wants everything for himself. But the King has other plans for Alais. Sounds familiar?

Curtain Call Theatre has assembled a fine cast of actors from its growing roster of talent:
mavericks Mark Gregory and Gretchen Belgrave; add new comers to CCT John Rowan, Diz Struffles, Clay Matthews, Crystal Carpenter, and Jake Hamlin; and you have a memorable and distinguished cast.

Directed by Michael Tabib and stage managed by Joe Potter, The Lion In Winter opens April 14. 2012 and plays on weekends for eight performances only through April 29 at Russian River Hall, 20347 Hwy. 116, Monte Rio (one block East of Rio Theater).

For reservations and more call 707-524-8739.

By Bob Hornback

 

Count Dracula is Coming in October

“Count Dracula” by Ted Tiller is a thrilling re-telling of the classic vampire tale.

Join us for this year’s Halloween Season for the entire month of October , culminating in a Blood Fest of fabulous food and champagne Gala on Saturday October 29 for the closing night performance. This is Halloween Weekend and will be a fun blood curdling event. DON’T MISS IT !!!

Check our website periodically for further details. You’ll HOWL with delightful fright. See you then.

FOURPLAY, an evening of four one act plays

Join us for this fun filled performance as Curtain Call Theatre at the Russian River launches its                           first production for this year of four one act plays.

A full evening of entertainment, “FOURPLAY” appears for eight (8)  performances only.

Thrill to the antics of the successful new Bank Manager, his twittery wife, his crew, and a demanding old lady when all his plans fall apart in “The Festivities” by Anton Chekov.

Find out how a lion eats a librarian in John Guare’s odd comedy “A Day For Surprises”, followed by a man who reveals his own bizarre surprise with a personal past relationship in “Days Ahead” by Lanford Wilson.

We conclude our evening with “Postcards” by James Prideaux, when a couple spend a lifetime  (almost)                  of joy, disappointment, and renewed joy, writing postcards to celebrities.

This exceptional evening is produced and directed by Michael Tabib, and  performed by Gretchen Belgrave, Dee Buechy, Mark Gregory, Shawn O’Docharty, Lisa Posternak, Joe Potter, and Dan Vanek.

“FOURPLAY” opens with a Champagne Gala on Saturday May 7 at 7PM, Curtain at 8PM. Enjoy delectable Hors d’oeuvres and special Desserts by chef  Tim Kane, complemented by Korbel champagne and Korbel premium Wines. We will also feature a select coffee from Coffee Bazaar and a variety of tea selections along with non-alcoholic beverages. This is a benefit for Curtain Call Theatre with a Tax-Deductible Donation of $35.

We continue our performances during the following dates: May 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, June 3 & 4.   Fridays & Saturdays at 8PM; and Sundays at 4PM.

ALL performances are at Russian River Hall, 20347 Highway 116 in Monte Rio, 95462.

Box Office Prices are as follows:

Fridays: “Pay What You Can”, Saturdays and Sundays: $15 General; $12 Seniors over 55 and students with ID.

Won’t you come and share in this delightful evening of laughter and self revelation?

Our Reservations number is 707-524-8739. Leave a message and we will confirm by telephone only.

Thank you. We look forward to your continued patronage.

The Management of Curtain Call Theatre at te Russian River.

2010 Events

The ALL new Curtain Call Theatre at the Russian River proudly presents its premiere production for the year:
“LOVE LETTERS”
by
A. R. Gurney
Directed by Michael Tabib
Featuring Gretchen Belgrave and Ray Morgan
August 13 (preview) thru. August 29
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm
Sunday Matinees at 4 pm
Admission: Fridays “Pay what you can”
Saturdays and Sundays: $15 General; $12 Seniors over 65 and Students with I.D.
GALA EVENT Saturday August 14 at 7:30 PM.: We’re offering complimentary Korbel Champagne, premium wines, hors d’oeuvres, and delectable desserts along with the performance at 8 pm. Admission is $35, ($20 of which is tax-deductible as a donation). Join us to celebrate the new company. Meet the cast and crew and the board of Directors of Curtain Call Theatre as we enter this momentous year.

Reservations by phone only. Please call: 707-524-8739

Coming soon in November 2010:
Three One-Act plays by celebrated authors and a cast of distinguished actors.

Coming up in 2011:
We’re also in the process of compiling three major productions for the year 2011. Stay tuned to RussianRiverHall.com for regular updates. If you are interested in adding your name, address, and e-mail to our mailing list, please call our office voice mail 707-524-8739 and leave your information.