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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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King of the jungle

Kamryn Kozisek

CSC Theatre presents “The Lion in Winter” by James Goldman, a comedy based in 12th century Europe

Christmas time, 1183, King Henry II, Queen Eleanor, their three children, the king’s mistress, Alais and her half-brother Philip compete for the English throne. 

CSC Theatre presents “The Lion in Winter,” featuring Kiersten Luce, sophomore of Cheyenne, Wyoming, as Queen Eleanor; Levi O’Dell, junior of Piedmont, South Dakota, as King Henry; Jarret Bunchholz, senior of White River, South Dakota, as Richard; Jarrod Paul, senior of Gordon, as Geoffrey; Caleb Twite, senior of White River, South Dakota, as John; Olivia Behrends, sophomore of Alliance, as Alais and Zak Wellnitz, junior of Rushville as Philip. 

“Playing this character has been different for many reasons,” O’Dell said. “Normally I play younger characters that are typically weaker and more naive and innocent. Henry is a much more powerful person who is always planning and working for himself. It’s been fun to portray such a different character.”

The production includes drama and comedy with themes around adultry and competition, all based in the 12th century.

“It’s the oldest play I’ve done,” Reidun Hammer, sophomore of Dubois, Wyoming, stage manager, said. “In terms of the time it’s set in, so it’s been very interesting to watch the actors emulate speech patterns and movement from the 12th century.”

The theater department  recently got a new director, Dewayne Barrett, following the departure of David Craven. 

“Before midterm break, we started blocking this show with a different director,” O’Dell said. “He cast the show and had started to work the very basics with us, but we only had one week of rehearsal with him. Coming back with the opportunity to work with a new director has been different, but lots of fun. We had not started really developing out characters and the show yet, so the adjustment was not that hard. There has been some blocking changes here and there, but that’s to be expected for any show. Overall, the change went very smooth and I’m excited to put on this production.” 

“The Lion in the Winter” will be showing in the Black Box Theatre, April 7-9, April 14-15  at 7 p.m. and April 10 at 2 p.m. Free tickets are available at csc.edu/theatre.

Photos by Mackenzie Dahlberg

  • Jarrod Paul, senior of Gordon, portraying Geoffrey, yells during “The Lion in Winter” dress rehearsal, Monday in the Black Box Theater.
  • Kiersten Luce, sophomore of Cheyenne, Wyoming, portraying Eleanor, speaks while holding her hands during “The Lion in Winter” dress rehearsal, Monday in the Black Box Theater.
  • Zak Wellnitz, junior of Rushville, raises his eyebrow during “The Lion in Winter” dress rehearsal, Monday in the Black Box Theater.
  • Eleanor, played by Kiersten Luce, sophomore of Cheyenne, Wyoming, holds Alais’s hand, played by Olivia Behrends, sophomore of Alliance, during “The Lion in Winter” dress rehearsal, Monday in the Black Box Theater.
  • Caleb Twite, senior of White River, South Dakota, playing John, grimaces during “The Lion in Winter” dress rehearsal, Monday in the Black Box Theater.
  • Jarret Buchholz, senior of White River, South Dakota, as Richard holds out his hands during “The Lion in Winter” dress rehearsal, Monday in the Black Box Theater.