ZCT - The Lion in Winter - Cast and Crew Bios

	Roger Touvell (Henry II, King of England) I am very excited to be a part of this show. Having the chance to open oneself up to be a character is one of the great joys of my life. My favorite characters I have played include Randall McMurphy, El Gallo, Father Lawrence, and Pap Finn. I have directed The Laramie Project, Working, Lost in Yonkers, Of Mice and Men, and two plays by the very disturbed playright, Robert Taylor; Billy Would Have Been Thirty Today, and Those Strange and Glorious Years.
	Jillian B. Von Gunten (Alais Capet) – Jillian is currently a Theatre and Political Science double major and an English and History double minor at Muskingum College (if you know her it makes perfect sense, if you don’t it probably sounds a little bizarre). She has been involved in theatre for most of her life and considers ZCT to be an extension of her home. (Actually, she’s begun to notice that quite a bit of her stuff has somehow migrated to ZCT’s building…) Her favorite theatrical projects include, portraying Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Margot Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank, as well as directing both The Mystery of Irma Vep and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In addition to numerous onstage and backstage roles, Jillian serves as ZCT’s President of the Board of Directors. Jillian is very pleased to be a member of The Lion in Winter and to work with such talented people.
	Kevin Lucas (John, the youngest son) This is my second production at ZCT, and I hope to be a part of many more. I love this show, and I believe it has a great cast and crew. I truly believe this is the best show I’ve been a part of. everyone has put there great talent, hard work and dedication and I believe it shows. I hope you enjoy this play as much as I do.
	Dan Brown (Geoffrey, the middle son)
	Sean McClure (Richard Lionhart, the oldest son) I am very excited to be involved with this show. The show is packed full of quick witted humor, dark themes, and scandal. All three of these elements make for a great show. I think that this is a good show that people can relate to in some way. I believe that as you watch the show you will see a resemblance in one of the characters to someone you know personally. This show also lends a personality to the dead and dusty kings and queens of England. I like that we are able to see that these historical characters have a real personality. It may not be the one they actually had. However, it gives us something to work off of. I really hope you enjoy the show. I want to thank everybody for coming and thank my cast members for their support.
	Amy P. Underwood (Eleanor, Henry's wife) The Lion in Winter is one of my very favorite plays and I am thrilled to be included in this very talented ensemble of actors. I want to thank our director, Eric Blake, for choosing this vehicle for our theatre, everyone in the cast for being so great to work with, and Gene Gibbons for his invaluable coaching and insight. I hope everyone who experiences this production will be able to sense the focus and intensity we have put into its realization.
	Ian Milheim (Philip, King of France) Hi everyone! My name is Ian James Milheim, and in this production of The Lion in Winter I was given the honor of portraying the devious but darling character of "King Philip from France". I feel as though my role in our lil' medieval melodrama is an excellent chance to test both my range AND my rage. My future plans consist of constant writing and occasional acting. I've recently completed a feature length comedy script of my own, and I'm currently putting the finishing touches on a screenplay for a dramatic short. I have high hopes that you will enjoy watching the shenanigans of our magical cast of characters as we jump through the hoops of deceit, directed by Eric Blake to an ending fit for a king, a climax truly worthy of the crown. I know that it will please you!
	Production Staff
	Eric Blake (Director) This quote from Eleanor of Aquitaine, “Well, what family doesn’t have its ups and downs?” is just the tip of the iceberg. James Goldman’s classic The Lion In Winter brings to life the drama of family strife and competing ambitions with a dark and dramatic comedic flare. These themes are as much a part of everyday, modern life as they were in the twelfth century. The Lion In Winter brings domestic turmoil to an art form. I feel both honored and privileged to work with this brilliant cast and crew to bring James Goldman’s classic work to life at Zanesville Community Theatre. I hope that you enjoy the show as much as I have enjoyed being part of this wonderful ensemble! Thank you for supporting the arts and ZCT. I have been involved in theatre for many years (since high school, so you do the math). I love being involved either on stage or working behind the scenes. It was instilled in me at an early age that it is just as important to know set construction and other technical aspects of theatre as well as developing acting skills. I have been involved with ZCT for several years where I am currently a member of the Board of Directors. I feel that it is so important to give back to our community, and being involved with ZCT affords me that opportunity whether by nurturing young talent and providing them a safe place to learn and have a good time or by fund raising to help provide a much needed boost to those in need at the Holiday Season.
	Melanie Von Gunten (Assistant Director) Melanie and her long suffering husband Dan are part of the “old guard” at Zanesville Community Theatre, having been involved since 1977. In fact, daughter Jillian grew up in the Theatre and thought for a long time that the building was the west wing of her home. Now Jillian is the president of ZCT. Talk about feeling old! Melanie has directed five shows for ZCT, and has served in nearly every capacity backstage for productions, except choreography ( that’s why Jillian took dancing) and lighting (again, something to do with coordination). Occasionally, she may be found on stage. Most often, she can be found at the hair station backstage doing “hair magic”. Melanie has enjoyed working with this multi-talented cast and crew, and hopes that you will enjoy their efforts in this production of The Lion in Winter.
	Angel Palmer (Stage Manager) I love the theatre- not just parts of it, but theatre in it's entirety. I have loved watching as ordinary people step on stage and become "royalty". Every time I am granted to opportunity to be a part of such an amazing transformation- I am humbled. Lion In Winter follows in the tradition that ZCT has of quality production, directing, and acting. I pray that each of you will enjoy the show as much as I have!
	Jan Kiikka (Costumes, Box Office)
	Carleton B. Underwood (Lighting & Sound Designer, Producer)

Head shots of cast members ©2005-2008 Dan Olson, Studio Z Photography, used with permission. www.studio-z-photo.com
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Cast & Crew Bios - The Lion in Winter Show Pictures Director's Notes