FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (August 27, 2026) – Theatre Jacksonville continues its annual Classic in
San Marco series this September with The Lion in Winter by James Goldman. Experience the
passion, political intrigue, and fierce family rivalry of this acclaimed modern classic drama,
opening at Theatre Jacksonville September 19 and running through October 4.
Set against the backdrop of Christmas in 1183, The Lion in Winter brings England’s royal family
together for a holiday gathering that quickly becomes a ruthless battle for power. King Henry II
and his estranged wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, reunite with their three ambitious sons as
alliances shift, secrets surface, and each member of the family fights to control the future of the
crown.
Equal parts historical drama, dark comedy, and family power struggle, The Lion in Winter offers
a compelling look at love, loyalty, ambition, and the complicated bonds that hold a family
together — and threaten to tear it apart.
“The Lion in Winter is an enthralling theatrical experience that reveals the very recognizable
human emotions that lie beneath the actions of medieval England’s Plantagenet royal family
as they play the intricate politics of their day,” said Sarah Boone, Theatre Jacksonville executive
director. “Audiences are in for a roller coaster of a ride as they witness the royals vying with
each other in pursuit of their own ambitions for power.”
The Lion in Winter is directed by Jeff Grove, and features Rebeque Destro, Eli Bruce Durham,
Collin Galvin, Kenny Logsdon, Dustin Ponder, Sydney Wissinger, and Aidan Wood. Shows will run
from September 19 through October 4, with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. and four
matinee performances at 2 p.m. on September 20, 27 and October 3 and 4. The last Saturday
performance On October 3 will be a 2 p.m. matinee with no evening performance on that date.
Audience members are encouraged to reserve their seats early for this gripping production of
one of modern theatre’s most celebrated historical dramas.
Ticket packages for the 107th season are now on sale, for the season that begins on September
19 with the Classic in San Marco, The Lion in Winter.
The 107th season is bookended by two popular musicals and includes the shows:
> Come From Away by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, opening November 7, closing November
22 – With Drama Desk and Best New Musical awards under its belt, Come From Away is a
remarkable true story of the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland, playing host to
38 stranded planes with passengers from around the globe after the 9/11 attacks.
Undaunted by culture clashes and language barriers, the people of Gander brilliantly
orchestrated an international sleepover – which is beautifully captured in the music and
lyrics of this joyous production.
> The 39 Steps adapted by Patrick Barlow, opening January 16, closing January 31 – In this
Tony Award-winning comedy, a man with a boring life meets a woman with a thick accent
who says she’s a spy. When he takes her home, she is murdered. Enter a mysterious
organization, a nationwide manhunt and a death-defying finale. Audiences love the
inventive stagecraft and virtuoso performances in this delightful show.
> Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley, opening February 27, closing March 14 – Winner of the
Pulitzer Prize, this tragicomedy about three eccentric Southern sisters reunited in their
Mississippi home as their grandfather is dying and their youngest sister is out on bail for
shooting her husband. With the help of an awkward young lawyer, they navigate their grave
yet hilarious troubles — and the high spirits in this family bonding tale are infectious.
> Theatre People, or The Angel Next Door by Paul Slade Smith, opening April 17, closing May 2
– This rollicking comedy follows a young playwright in 1948 on the brink of a major success
with his play The Angel Next Door. When the brightest stars on Broadway converge for a
weekend in Newport, Rhode Island, the screwball comedic antics reverberate through the
thin walls of the glamorous mansion — and only the power of theatre can save the play. For
all “theatre people,” or anyone who loves watching them.
> Nunsense by Dan Goggin, opening June 12, closing June 27 – Winner of several Outer Critics
Circle Awards, this hilarious musical revue is a fundraiser put on by the Little Sisters of
Hoboken to raise money to bury sisters who have been accidentally poisoned by the
convent cook, Sister Julia. Premiering in 1985, this madcap frolic is still delighting audiences
to this day.
For more information about The Lion in Winter or to purchase ticket packages for Season
107, visit www.theatrejax.com.
About Theatre Jacksonville
Theatre Jacksonville was founded in 1919 as The Little Theatre of Jacksonville, with the
capital for the 1938 construction of the historic facility donated by Carl S. Swisher. It was
reincorporated as Theatre Jacksonville in 1969 and named to the National Register of Historic
Places in 1991. Theatre Jacksonville has provided 107 years of uninterrupted community
theater in Jacksonville.
Theatre Jacksonville’s mission is to enrich lives and broaden cultural understanding
through community participation in theater arts. In addition to providing more than 100
performances each season of outstanding community theater featuring a regional cast of
exceptionally talented playwrights, musicians, actors, designers and stagehands, Theatre
Jacksonville reaches hundreds of students each year through summer camps, classes, field trips
and in-school presentations.
Theatre Jacksonville also uses art to advance issues of local concern. From supporting
veterans to nurturing arts and recreation, it fosters community partnerships to advance the
culture, health, and well-being of Jacksonville. As Theatre Jacksonville anticipates its future, it
also seeks to build a strong operational foundation to ensure that, just as endowed funds
support the theater building, endowed funds will support theater operations. For more
information or to donate, visit www.theatrejax.com.
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Contact:
Sarah Boone, Executive Director
Theatre Jacksonville
[email protected]
(904) 396-4425
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