MOLINE, ILLINOIS (November 12, 2025) —The Black Box Theatre in downtown Moline presents the classic play The Lion in Winter opening November 21 to December 6.
Intrigue. Power, Backstabbing. That’s just a few plot points in The Lion in Winter, a play by James Goldman, depicting the personal and political conflicts of Henry II of England, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, their children, and their guests during Christmas 1183.
Heading the cast is Jeremy Mahr as King Henry II, along with his sons Richard (Matt Walsh), Geoffrey (Tyler Henning), and John (Jacob Lund). Joining them are Thayne Lamb as Phillip, the King of France, and his sister Alais (Kassidy Holderidge). Rounding out the cast is Lora Adams as Eleanor.
The play is directed by Noah Hill, sound design Alexander Richardson, light design Jennifer Kingrey, and Stage Manager Erin Gehn.
Black Box Co-founder Lora Adams stepped into the role of Eleanor after an illness forced another actor to leave the production.
Adams also designed the set and costumes and had a stellar crew helping with the set including Michael Kopriva, Jim Driscoll, Kirsten Myers, Rori Myers, Tyler Henning, Thayne Lamb, and Gryffin Myers.
It premiered on Broadway at the Ambassador Theatre on March 3, 1966, starring Robert Preston and Rosemary Harris, who won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Eleanor. It was adapted by Goldman into an Academy Award-winning 1968 film of the same name, starring Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn. The movie was also the first screen appearance by Anthony Hopkins and Timothy Dalton.
The show opens November 21 and runs for nine performances.
The first week’s performances will be Friday, Saturday (7:30PM), and Sunday (2PM).
For the second week: Friday, Saturday (7:30PM), and Sunday (2PM).
The final week: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (7:30PM).
Tickets are available at theblackboxtheatre.com or at the door.
Ticket price is $18.00.
