Arts & Entertainment

‘The Lion in Winter’

As Long Beach Playhouse audiences step into the theater to see “The Lion in Winter,” May 16 to June 13, they will find themselves in the year 1183, on Christmas Day in Chinon, France, in the palace of England’s King Henry II.

His family and a few friends will be gathering for the holiday, and he is discussing the day’s events with his mistress, Alais. Joining them for the holiday are his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, released from prison for the day, and their three sons.

Sean Gray, Playhouse Producing Artistic Director, explained, “The Plantagenet family isn’t a happy one. And the plan for the day is to decide upon his successor, and the family is not remotely close to agreement.

“His once-loving wife is now his enemy and will spend her day of freedom seeking revenge. Their three sons, Richard, Geoffrey, and John, are squabbling and scheming. And his mistress is engaged to one of his sons.

“While Goldman intended the “Lion” to be Henry, in the Winter of his life, many say that Eleanor is an equally fierce lion in the fight for a successor to the throne.”

Both Henry and Eleanor have their favorites for the successor. Henry wants John, the youngest, to succeed him. Eleanor wants the oldest, Richard, to be the next King. The play’s focus on the day’s events, its decisions, rivalries, and many complications, has kept audiences entertained since it was first produced in 1966.

“James Goldman’s script gives the actors plenty of moments to deliver drama. But it also gives the audience plenty of opportunity to laugh. One of my favorite lines is when Henry asks, ‘What shall we hang? The Holly or each other?’” said Madison Mooney, Playhouse executive director.

James Rice is directing this production of The Lion in Winter. Rice’s 40 years of experience in theaters throughout the region has brought great performances from all the actors in this show. His ability to help actors find the core of a character ensures that every moment is rich with words, movement, and intention.

Sam Tanng, as assistant director, has appeared in more than 40 shows at the Playhouse and is always an audience favorite. This is his first time as assistant director on the Playhouse Mainstage.

Christina Bayer’s talents as a costume designer are on full display in this show capturing the essence of 12th Century European royalty with flowing robes, veils, and adornments of the era.

The show’s seven-member cast includes two actors making their debuts, Henrik Nielsen and CJ Switzer. Returning actors include Noah Wagner, Amanda Karr, Lauren Velasco, Giovanni Navarro, and Trevor Hart.

About the show, Mooney said, “This show is captivating from the first sentence to the last. It’s a beautiful set, with beautiful costumes, and a talented cast telling a story that’s as fascinating today as it was 890 years ago. Buy a ticket, see the show, you’ll be glad you did!”

Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling (562) 494-1014, option 1.

MTW $65,000 Gift

Musical Theatre West (MTW), one of the largest and most respected theatrical production companies in Southern California, is excited to announce a $65,000 transformational gift from Joel and Karen Fierberg to support expanded live orchestras throughout its 2026 Season of Dreams.

“Modern musical theater has increasingly become about how few musicians you can use to create the biggest possible sound,” said Ryan O’Connell, music director for MTW’s Man of La Mancha. “You’re often lucky to have nine or ten players, with keyboards filling in entire string or brass sections. It can sound fine, but at the end of the day, it’s an imitation.”

Bren Thor, MTW Associate Producer added, “Thanks to the generosity of Joel and Karen Fierberg, both Man of La Mancha and In the Heights featured the full orchestrations that brought the music to life as it was originally intended. This is the sound of live theater at its fullest, and our audiences can truly feel the difference.”

The gift directly impacted four major productions this season: Man of La Mancha, In the Heights, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Little Women. This investment ensures audiences will hear the music not through the filter of electronic replication, but as full and vibrant as it was at each show’s Broadway debut.

For Man of La Mancha, MTW presented a complete 17-piece orchestra, featuring five woodwinds, six brass, two Spanish guitars, three percussionists including a dedicated timpani player, and bass, with no keyboards filling in missing sections.

For In the Heights, the production expanded from a 9-piece touring arrangement to the original 13-piece Broadway orchestration, helping drive the show’s high-energy performances and contributing to multiple sold-out audiences throughout its run. Additional musicians will also enhance the musical depth of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Little Women, continuing the elevated sound across the season.

Paul Garman, executive director of Musical Theatre West, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the gift. “We are deeply thankful to Joel and Karen Fierberg for their extraordinary generosity and belief in the power of live music,” said Garman. “Their support elevates every production in our 2026 Season of Dreams and reinforces our commitment to artistic excellence. This gift doesn’t just add musicians, it transforms the experience for our audiences and our artists alike. We are honored by their investment in our mission and our future.”

Beyond enhancing artistic quality and elevating the patron experience, the Fierbergs hope their gift will inspire others to discover meaningful, production-specific ways to support MTW. By directly investing in the elements that shape what audiences see and hear onstage, donors help preserve the high standard of excellence MTW patrons have come to expect. To learn more about this campaign, visit musical.org/behind-the-curtain.

With this generous contribution, Musical Theatre West moves one step closer to realizing the full sound and vision of each production, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience Broadway-caliber orchestrations performed live and in person.

For more information, a full line-up of performances, and additional details on Musical Theatre West visit https://musical.org.

2026 New Works Festival

The Long Beach Shakespeare Company announced its 2026 New Works Festival, an expanded, multi-weekend celebration of original storytelling, featuring fresh voices, daring narratives, and the next generation of theatrical legends.

Taking place at the Helen Borgers Theatre in Bixby Knolls, the festival will run across three dynamic weekends:

May 15–17, 2026 with Hold On By: Robert Weibezahl, LUDLOW MASSACRE By: Darren Andrew Nash and A Wire In Mind By Michael J.M. Canas

June 5–7, 2026 will feature Department - Episode 2 - Anchor Store By: Christopher Bucca Taylor, Reflections in a D’Back’s Eye By: Deanne Stillman, Life and Death in Cowboy Country By: Andrew Tyrell-Smith and The Deed By: Jessica Wienecke

Sept. 18–20, 2026 will bring you TUCKED AWAY By: Joni Ravenna, The Ghosts of The Globe Theatre By: Arthur Allison and VECTORS By: Stephen Montagne and F3 by Bubba Proctor.

Each weekend invites audiences into an intimate theatrical experience where new scripts are brought to life through staged readings and workshop-style presentations – offering a rare glimpse into the creative process as it unfolds in real time.

Where New Stories begin The New Works Festival is central to LBSC’s mission to champion both literary excellence and community engagement, providing a platform for emerging and established playwrights to develop original work. Selected pieces are chosen through a rigorous submission process and presented before live audiences, often followed by talkbacks and feedback sessions designed to refine and elevate each work.

“By championing new work, we honor the legacy of theatre as a living, evolving art form – where today’s creations become tomorrow’s unforgettable stories,” says Artistic Director Holly Leveque. A Festival of Discovery Audiences can expect a diverse lineup of original plays spanning genres, styles, and perspectives – from intimate character studies to bold, imaginative storytelling. The festival offers a unique opportunity to witness the birth of future productions, connecting audiences directly with the artists shaping the future of theatre.

As part of LBSC’s 2026 season, themed “The Stuff of Legends,” the New Works Festival stands as a vital bridge between tradition and innovation – proving that new voices are the legends in the making.

Tickets available at LBShakespeare.org or at the Helen Borgers Theater, 4250 Atlantic Avenue.